PUR 7776_AirGas.pdf

PUR 7776 (Revised 07/2022) Page 1 of 3

Incorporated by Reference: Rule 60A-1.045, F.A.C.

DESCRIPTION OF INTENDED

SINGLE SOURCE PURCHASE

(PUR 7776)

AGENCY: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

TITLE: AIRGAS USA, LLC

Short description of the commodity or service desired: Quality Noble Gas Delivery

CONTACT

Name: Stephanie Bergozza

Address: 407 S. Calhoun Street, SB-8 Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399

Telephone: (850) 617-7181

Email: Procurement@FDACS.gov

Internal tracking number, if any: SS 26 27 32

Date posted: 06/01/2026 Last day for receipt of information: 06/22/2026

This description of commodities or contractual services intended for purchase from a single source is posted in accordance with Sections 120.57(3) and 287.057(3), Florida Statutes (F.S.), and will remain posted for a period of at least 15 business days.

Commodity or Contractual Service Required (commodity or United National Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC), manufacturer, model, and description, as appropriate):

12142000 - Noble gases

Quantity or Term (as appropriate):

One year

Requestor (division, bureau, office, individual, as appropriate):

Division of Agricultural Environmental Services

Division of Consumer Services

Division of Food Safety

Performance and/or Design Requirements (e.g. intended use, function or application, compatibility, requirements; reference to policy, rule, statute or other act of the Legislature, etc., as appropriate):

The Division of Agricultural Environmental Services, Division of Consumer Services, and

Division of Food Safety intend to purchase noble gases to carry out regulatory duties pursuant to respective Florida Statutes. The Division of Agriculture Environmental Sciences' laboratories use gases (pure, specialty/liquid, and industrial) to perform sample preparation procedures; operate analytical instrument systems; and conduct sample analysis to support the division's fertilizer, feed, and pesticide regulatory programs. The Division of Consumer Services use gases (pure, specialty/liquid, and industrial) to meet operational needs with minimal disruption in multiple laboratories throughout the division to support the division's regulatory programs. The Division

PUR 7776 (Revised 07/2022) Page 2 of 3

Incorporated by Reference: Rule 60A-1.045, F.A.C.

of Food Safety use gases (pure, specialty/liquid, and industrial) to perform sample preparation procedures; and operate analytical instrument systems to conduct sample analysis to support the division's regulatory programs.

Division of Agricultural Environmental Services; powers and duties. - The duties of the Division of Agricultural Environmental Services include, but are not limited to:

(1) Inspecting and drawing samples of:

(a) Commercial feeds offered for sale in this state;

(b) Seeds offered for sale in this state;

(c) Certified seed grown in this state;

(d) Fertilizers offered for sale in this state; and

(e) Pesticides offered for sale in this state, and soil and water in this state for the presence of pesticides.

(2) Analyzing samples of fertilizer offered for sale in this state as required under Chapter 576, Florida Statutes.

(3) Analyzing samples of pesticide formulations offered for sale in this state and tank mix, soil, water, and other environmental samples related to pesticide use investigations.

(4) Analyzing samples of commercial feed offered for sale in this state.

(5) Analyzing vegetables, agricultural, flower, and forest tree seed offered for sale in this state.

(6) Investigating, evaluating, and developing new or improved methodology to enhance the analytical capability and efficiency of all divisional laboratories and performing other related analyses as deemed necessary.

Division of Consumer Services; director; powers; processing of complaints; records.

(1) Conducting those general inspection activities in regard to weight, measures, and standards of articles offered for sale in this state.

(2) Reviewing and evaluating technical and scientific data associated with the production, manufacture, storage, transportation, sale, or use of any article or product with respect to any statutory authority conferred on the department.

(3) The Division of Consumer Services may:

(a) Conduct studies and make analyses of matters affecting the interests of consumers.

(b) Study the operation of laws for consumer protection.

(c) Make use of the testing and laboratory facilities of the department for the detection of consumer fraud.

Division of Food Safety; powers and duties. The duties of the Division of Food Safety include, but are not limited to enforcing meat and poultry inspection laws, general food inspection and enforcement, food sampling and laboratory analysis, chemical residue testing, dairy farm inspection, and milk and dairy product inspection.

Intended Single Source:

AIRGAS USA, LLC

Estimated Dollar Amount:

Approximate Amount Up to: $300,000.00

Approximate Contract(s) Amount: $200,000.00

PUR 7776 (Revised 07/2022) Page 3 of 3

Incorporated by Reference: Rule 60A-1.045, F.A.C.

Justification for single source acquisition (what is necessary and unique about the product, service or source; steps taken to confirm unavailability of competition, as appropriate):

AirGas USA, LLC is the only known source who can provide the quality of various gases to meet the needs of the department laboratories throughout the State of Florida and can provide delivery upon demand which is necessary for the department to carry out its regulatory duties.

Airgas maintains an adequate, consistent supply of the required gases which is delivered upon request with minimal disruption. Their regional presence ensures timely deliveries and responsive support, which is critical to maintaining the department’s operational continuity.

Having high quality specialty gases that are delivered on time and free of contaminants is mission critical to the department's regulatory programs and laboratories.

Approved By (names & titles, as appropriate, e.g., requestor, requestor management, information systems, budget, purchasing):

Kelly Friend, Director, Division of Agricultural Environmental Services

Patty Lucas, Chief, Division of Agricultural Environmental Services

Vanessa Benchea, Environmental Administrator, Division of Consumer Services

Richard Kimsey, Director, Division of Consumer Services

Lori Joanos, Senior Management Analyst Supervisor, Division of Consumer Services

Michael Thompson, Environmental Administrator, Bureau of Laboratories

Patricia Hanson, Chief, Bureau of Laboratories, Division of Food Safety

Matthew Curran, Ph.D., Director, Division of Food Safety

Joey B. Hicks, Director, Division of Administration

Stephanie Bergozza, Purchasing Director II, Division of Administration

Prospective vendors are requested to provide information regarding their ability to supply the commodities or contractual services described. If it is determined in writing by the agency, after reviewing any information received from prospective vendors, that the commodities or contractual services are available only from a single source, the agency shall provide notice of its intended decision to enter a single-source purchase contract in the manner specified in Rule 60A-

1.045, Florida Administrative Code, and section 120.57(3), F.S.