NIH-PCA-NINDS-05708 Solicitation Revised.docx

Bulk Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Carbon Dioxide Solicitation Notice Number: NIH-PCA-NINDS-05708

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Offerors shall submit all questions concerning this solicitation in writing to Luz Casey, Program Specialist (Luz.Casey@nih.gov). Questions must be in writing and are due by Thursday, July 23, 2026 at noon EST. Proposals are due Monday, August 03, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EST. Please reference solicitation number NIH-PCA-NINDS-05708 on all emails for questions and proposals. Quotations must be good for 90 days after close of solicitation. The solicitation number is NIH-PCA-NINDS-05708 and the solicitation is issued as a request for proposal (RFP).

Contract Type The Government anticipates award of an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract.

TYPE OF ORDER

This is a Firm Fixed-Price IDIQ contract on the basis of best value tradeoff for Offerors who meet minimum requirements. The base year period of performance is expected to begin on 09/27/2026 and end on 09/26/2027.

The period of performance for the option years are listed below:

Option Number Option Period

1) 09/27/2027 – 09/26/2028

2) 09/27/2028 – 09/26/2029

3) 09/27/2029 – 09/26/2030

4) 09/27/2030 – 09/26/2031

Pursuant to FAR Clause 52.217-9 (Option to Extend the Term of the Contract.) set forth in the task order, the Government may, by unilateral modification, require the Contractor to perform the Option Period(s) specified in the Statement of Work. If the Government exercises this/these option(s), notice must be given before the expiration date of the contract. Specific information regarding the time frame for this notice as it is set forth in the FAR Clause 52.217-9.

TITLE: Bulk Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Carbon Dioxide

BACKGROUND

The National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is seeking full and open competition for businesses with the ability to provide a comprehensive bulk gas solution for the procurement of gases and related products and services for use in biomedical research. Specifically, the Government requires medical grade bulk oxygen (gas), nitrogen (liquid), and carbon dioxide (gas) and associated support on an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) basis.

SPECIAL ORDER REQUIREMENTS

PRODUCT FEATURES/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

The following salient characteristics describe the minimum technical and performance requirements necessary to meet the Government’s research needs.

The primary objective of this contract is to provide the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) with a comprehensive bulk gas solution for the procurement of gases and related products and services for use in biomedical research. Specifically, the Government requires medical grade bulk oxygen (gas), nitrogen (liquid), and carbon dioxide (gas) and associated support on an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) basis. The period of performance for this requirement shall be five years from the effective date of award.

NINDS seeks an innovative approach for this Requirement that ensures accuracy and cost-effectiveness. The Contractor shall provide all resources necessary to accomplish the tasks and deliverables described in this Statement of Work (SOW).

1. Bulk Gas The Contractor shall provide bulk gases which meet the specifications detailed below.

a. Nitrogen NF (Medical Grade, Approved for Human Drug Use):

b. Oxygen USP (Medical Grade, Approved for Human Drug Use):

The overall maximum estimated bulk gas requirements are detailed in Table 1 below. The minimum contract quantities are detailed in Table 2.

Table 1: Overall Maximum Estimated Requirements

(Usage estimated to increase 3% year over year) 1,439,208 Cubic Feet

(Usage estimated to increase 3% year over year) 752,904 Pounds

Table 2: Minimum Quantity to be Ordered for the Life of the Contract

2. Bulk Gas Management The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) owns bulk gas tanks with telemetry monitoring systems for liquid nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. The Contractor shall provide the required bulk gases to the NINDS-owned tanks and shall supply all equipment necessary for delivery of the gases into the tanks. Please find tank information detailed below:

1. One (1) Oxygen 1500-gallon tank

2. One (1) Nitrogen 6000-gallon tank

3. One (1) Carbon Dioxide 6-ton tank

A spill pad is included on the CO2 tank, and a safety wall exists between the oxygen and liquid nitrogen tanks.

3. Customer Support The Contractor shall respond to telephone to support requests within 30 minutes during business hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) and shall provide on-site support during business hours as necessary within 24 hours following a telephone request. The Contractor must have one or more mechanisms available to process emergency orders (e.g., emergency phone line, website portal, etc.) and the ability to fulfill emergency orders within 4 hours.

Support will include diagnosis of equipment when pressure fluctuations occur or any other equipment concern arises, removal of ice balls when they impair access to tank valves and gauges, and visual inspection of tank-telemetry equipment and gas levels during delivery. Visual inspections shall be provided as part of the overall bulk gas solution. Should repairs be required, the Contractor shall provide a budgetary quote and description of the diagnosed problem for consideration.

The Contractor shall monitor levels of all three gas tanks on at least a twice weekly basis and make recommendations when observed gas levels are at a quarter tank or lower. The Contractor shall also make recommendations when observed gas levels are at a point that tank safety may be in question.

4. Delivery In accordance with an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract, each bulk gas shall be delivered a minimum of twice monthly or at a maximum of five deliveries per month as demand necessitates. The Contractor must accommodate a 6:00 AM, Bethesda, MD local time, or earlier, delivery schedule to offset loading dock constraints as required.

Delivery must be made within 24-48 hours after order placement. In the event of an emergency, however, ordered quantities must be delivered on the day of order placement. Emergency same-day deliveries shall not exceed four (4) per year. The Contractor must have one or more mechanisms available to process emergency orders (e.g., emergency phone line, website portal, etc.) and the ability to fulfill emergency orders within 4 hours.

5. Ordering and Receiving The maximum quantity that the Government may order over the life of the IDIQ contract is detailed in column three of Table 1. The minimum quantity to be ordered for the life of the contract is detailed in Table 2. Please note that the minimum quantity might not be ordered in one record of call, but would be ordered over the life of the contract.

Orders issued under this contract may be placed in writing or via electronic mail (e-mail) by the authorized designee(s). The authorized designee(s) shall be identified at time of award. The Contractor representative(s) authorized to receive and accept orders placed by telephone shall be identified at time of award. Each delivery must be accompanied by evidence of delivery/performance. Orders shall not be made more than once every two weeks. Orders may be set up to be recurring, at the discretion of the authorized Federal designee but each delivery must be individually accepted by the authorized Federal designee. Ordered quantities must be delivered within 24-48 hours after order placement.

In the event of an emergency, however, ordered quantities must be delivered on the day of order placement. Emergency same-day deliveries shall not exceed 4 per year. The Offeror must have one or more mechanisms available to process emergency orders (e.g., emergency phone line, website portal, etc.) and the ability to fulfill emergency orders within 4 hours.

All orders delivered under this contract must be verified by the authorized Federal designee(s). The authorized Federal designee shall formally document all orders received. Toward this end, the Contractor shall provide the Government with two copies of a statement of delivery each time an order is delivered. The authorized Federal designee shall verify and sign off on these statements and the authorized Federal designee shall retain one for Government records. This written documentation of approved receiving shall be necessary to authorize Contractor payment.

Place of Performance Bulk gas delivery shall be performed at National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 35 Back Loading Dock, Bethesda MD 20892.

Period of Performance The period of performance will be one year from award date for the base contract and 4 option years.

The Contractor shall employ a technical approach, utilize organizational resources, and implement management controls to achieve the cost, schedule, and performance requirements throughout the execution of the Contract Requirements. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing, managing, and overseeing its personnel, as well as any subcontractor/consultant efforts used in the performance of the Contract Requirements. All shipping/handling (including FOB) and delivery/installation fees, parts and labor, shall be included. The Contractor shall notify the NINDS Technical Point of Contact, to schedule delivery and the installation date and time.

PAYMENT

Payment shall be made in full upon successful delivery, installation, and acceptance of the service.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The Government will award an IDIQ contract resulting from this requirement on the basis of best value tradeoff for Offerors who meet minimum requirements.

Technical acceptability will be evaluated based upon the following:

1. The Offeror must document the ability to provide all of the gases noted in this solicitation in the estimated annual quantities in its quotation.

2. The Offeror must document that its gases meet the gas specification requirements.

3. The Offeror must document ability to meet the customer support requirements detailed in this solicitation.

4. The Offeror must document ability to meet the delivery and ordering & receiving requirements detailed in this solicitation to ensure that the government does not run low or run out of the bulk gases. The offeror must provide evidence of real-time telemetry monitoring to ensure that this requirement is met.

Mandatory Criteria (Pass/Fail) Offerors who do not demonstrate the ability to meet these minimum requirements will not be considered.

1. Ability to provide the desired product. The Offeror must document that its gases meet or exceed the gas specification requirements in the solicitation.

2. Ability to deliver desired quantity. The Offeror must document the ability to provide the quantities of gases noted in this solicitation.

Tradeoff Criteria Technical proposals will be evaluated using a summary adjectival rating in accordance with the following scale. The Offeror’s proposed costs will be weighed against the following evaluation criteria.

Technical Capability (75 points) The Offeror’s proposal shall address each area of the statement of work requirements in sufficient detail to demonstrate a clear understanding of the statement of work and ability to fulfill the contract requirements.

· The Offeror must document its ability to meet the customer support requirements detailed in this solicitation.

· The Offeror must document its ability to meet the delivery and ordering & receiving requirements detailed in this solicitation to ensure that the government does not run low or run out of the bulk gases. The Offeror must provide evidence of real-time telemetry monitoring to ensure that this requirement is met.

Past Performance References (25 points) The Offeror shall provide a list of at least two (2) past performance references with knowledge of the Offeror’s relevant skills and experience related to the requirements outlined in this Statement of Work. References shall include the following information:

a. Name of organization

b. Description of Offeror’s responsibilities as they relate to this SOW

c. Period of performance

d. Point of contact name, title, telephone number, email

Past performance references will be evaluated in context to their relevance to the current requirement.

Evaluation Scale Excellent. The proposal has exceptional merit and reflects an excellent approach which will clearly result in the superior attainment of all requirements and objectives. This clearly achievable approach includes several advantageous characteristics of substance, and very few disadvantages, which can be expected to result in outstanding performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is very low as the proposal provides solutions which are unquestionably feasible and practical. These solutions are further considered very low risk in that they are exceptionally clear and precise, fully supported, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the requirements. Risk Level: Very Low Good. The proposal demonstrates a sound approach which is expected to meet all requirements and objectives. This sound approach includes advantageous characteristics of substance, and few relatively minor disadvantages, which collectively can be expected to result in satisfactory performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is low as the proposal contains solutions which are considered feasible and practical. These solutions are further considered to reflect low risk in that they are clear and precise, supported, and demonstrate an understanding of the requirements. Risk Level: Low Acceptable. The proposal demonstrates an approach which is capable of meeting all requirements and objectives. The approach includes both advantageous and disadvantageous characteristics of substance, where the advantages are not outweighed by the disadvantages. Collectively, the advantages and disadvantages are likely to result in acceptable performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is moderate, as the proposal solutions are generally feasible and practical. These solutions may also be considered to reflect moderate risk in that they may be somewhat clear and precise, partially supported, and/or demonstrate a general understanding of the requirements. Risk Level: Neutral Marginal. The proposal demonstrates an approach which may not be capable of meeting all requirements and objectives. The approach has disadvantages of substance and advantages, which if they exist, are outweighed by the disadvantages. Collectively, the advantages and disadvantages present a low or questionable likelihood of resulting in satisfactory performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is high as the proposal contains solutions which may not be feasible and practical. These solutions may also be considered to reflect high risk in that they lack clarity and precision, are generally unsupported, and/or do not demonstrate a complete understanding of the requirements. Risk Level: High Unacceptable. The proposal demonstrates an approach which, based on a very high risk, will very likely not be capable of meeting all requirements and objectives. This approach has several disadvantages of substance, and advantages which, if they exist, are outweighed by disadvantages. Collectively, the advantages and disadvantages are unlikely to result in satisfactory performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is very high as the proposal contains solutions which are not feasible and practical. The solutions may also be considered to reflect very high risk in that they lack any clarity or precision. Risk Level: Very High

Response Format Responses to this requirement must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror’s capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the technical evaluation criteria. The price quote must include item descriptions and specifications per the requirements listed above as well as associated pricing.

In their quotations, offerors shall provide fully loaded unit prices for each gas type. Offerors shall ensure that fully loaded unit prices are the ONLY prices quoted. Any and all other fees relevant to the requirements, such as delivery fees, if any, MUST be built into the gas unit prices.

For convenience and reference, we have attached a price schedule template. Quotations must be good for 90 days after close of solicitation.

To be eligible for an award, offeror must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) at website https://sam.gov. The full text of a FAR provision or clause may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html. The selected offeror must comply with the following commercial item Terms and Conditions, which are incorporated herein by reference: FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Condition Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition; FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items, 52.204-13 SAM, 52.222-3, Convict Labor; 52.222-19 Child Labor - Cooperation With Authorities And Remedies; 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52-222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.223-18, Contractor policy to ban text messaging while driving; FAR 52.225-5 Trade Agreements, 52.225-13 Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases, applies to this acquisition.

The date and time offers are due Monday, August 3, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EST. Attention: Ms. Luz Casey, Program Specialist, luz.casey@nih.gov, 6701 Rockledge Dr., Bethesda, MD 20892. Please email an original technical and one original business proposals to Luz.Casey@nih.gov. The technical proposal shall be separate file from the business proposal. The name and email of the individual to contact for information regarding the solicitation: Luz Casey, Email: Luz.Casey@nih.gov

Proposals are due promptly Monday, August 3, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EST to Luz Casey, Program Specialist, by email Luz.Casey@nih.gov. Please reference NIH-PCA-NINDS-05708 on all correspondence.