amendment.pdf

NSN 7540-01-152-8070 STANDARD FORM 30. (Rev. 10-83) Previous Edition unusable Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Page of Pages AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. Contract ID Code

2. AMENDMENT MODIFICATION NO. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (if applicable)

6. ISSUED BY CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6) CODE

(x) 9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (NO., Street, Country, State and ZIP Code)

CODE FACILITY CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of offers is extended, is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing items 8 and 15, and returning ______ copies of amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OR OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment your desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

Check One

A. THIS ORDER ID ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return _______ copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible)

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

15C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

16C. DATE SIGNED

Supplementary Page

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Description of Modification/Amendment:

The above referenced solicitation is hereby amended to respond to technical questions submitted, incorporate changes to the statement of work, and incorporate a Federal Acquisition Regulaion clause.

Reference the attached pages for amendment details.

The due date for proposals, Wednesday, February 22, 2012, remains unchanged.

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1. The following questions and answers are hereby provided.

QUESTION 1: Does the requirement to purge the cylinder 3 times apply to cylinder upgrades only, cylinder maintenance only, or all cylinders? If all cylinders, please confirm whether acetylene, CO2, and propane are excluded since these particular cylinders are not maintained in this fashion (Reference Section 4.4 iv – cylinder preparation) RESPONSE 1: The requirement to purge the cylinder three times applies to cylinder upgrades only. With respect to cylinder upgrades, there are three exceptions, acetylene, CO2 and propane.

Reference the amended Section 4.4(iv) below.

QUESTION 2: Please confirm that ultrasonic cylinder testing is acceptable for applicable cylinders.

RESPONSE 2: It is not known what is meant by “applicable cylinders,” however, NIST will accept ultra‐sonic testing as an alternate cylinder test method as long as all applicable regulations are satisfied.

The Statement of Work has been amended accordingly.

QUESTION 4: What is the NIST Internal Barcode Number (i.e. physical label on cylinder or data entered by (RESERVED) or NIST into our system)? (4.5.1) RESPONSE 4: Section 5.2.1 requires the Contractor to bar code the serial number of the cylinder. NIST utilizes a number internally which may be bar coded by NIST, however, will not be the responsibility of the Contractor. The reference to the NIST internal bar code number in Section 4.5.1 of the Statement of Work has been amended for clarity.

QUESTION 5: What data is included on the 4” x 6” label referenced in section 5.1.1 (a) and who generates this label?

RESPONSE 5: The reference to section 5.1.1(a) is not clear. Reference 5.1.1(d), the printer must print a bar code. There is no requirement within this section for any party to print a label.

QUESTION 9: In the first paragraph of section 3.9 on page 22 within the General Requirements Section it is written that “All cylinders are delivered with working pressure gauges indicating that the tank is full”. Are all cylinders provided by the vendor required to have a built in regulator with pressure gauge? This is a huge requirement and would not be feasible for all gases.

RESPONSE 9: The requirement for a built in regulator with a working pressure gauge if for the upgraded NIST‐ owned cylinders only. Section 3.9 has been amended.

QUESTION 11: Do you have the current prices for the products listed under SB1341‐12‐RP‐0002, as well as the current suppliers.

RESPONSE 11: Reference response to Question 12.

QUESTION 12: Could you please tell me who is the incumbent for Solicitation SB1341‐12‐RP‐0002 and the value? I cant find any info in FPDS for the Gaithersburg delivery location. The title is Cylinder Gas Products and Services for NIST Gaithersburg.

RESPONSE 12: This is a new, first time requirement. There is no incumbent for Solicitation Number SB1341‐12‐ RP‐0002 as written.

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QUESTION 17: What is the volume of gas required for Methane #100027 and the technical specifications (ie purity in %)? For Line item 0002C & 0002D, what size cylinder is required, analytical accuracy, and any other relevant technical specifications.

RESPONSE 17: Methane #100027 – This is a standard P‐5 mix (ECD Grade). The Contractor generally determines the fill pressure of the mixture in a size 300 cu ft cylinder.

0002C & 0002D: Historically these have been sent to NIST in a 29.5 liter 8” x 48” cylinder.

QUESTION 19: With reference to “Specific Requirements Section 4.1”, it is stated that NIST prefers that the five products (100021, 100023, 100024, 100025, 100027) be provided as in‐house gases and in NIST‐owned cylinders. In order to properly assess if the NIST sourced valves are suitable for use with these ultra‐high and research purity grades, a drawing with complete specification including model # from the manufacturer of the valves intended for these gases is requested.

The internal whetted materials and type of valve and packing materials need to be reviewed to assess whether they are suitable for use with above referenced gases and ensure the quality of them should they be filled in such a package.

RESPONSE 19: RESPONSE PENDING

QUESTION 20: Section 4.3 v. with reference to Safety Valve Guards: In order to properly assess how much labor is required to retrofit NIST cylinders and install these safety valve guards, a technical specification drawing ideally with instructions on how to install is requested.

RESPONSE 20: RESPONSE PENDING

QUESTION 21: With reference to Attachment II – Storeroom Gas Usage – July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010: The actual quantities provided for this time period is useful but does not allow us to extrapolate a trend of gas consumption over a period of several years. Is it possible to provide actual historical gas usage of these gases for the years 2007‐2011? Is it possible to provide annual estimates for the BPA term for the next 5 years?

RESPONSE 21: The breadth of historical information that is available has been provided in the solicitation.

QUESTION 22: With reference to the Specialty Gases – Attachment I: Is it possible to provide actual purchasing history of specialty gases ideally for the years of 2007‐2011? If not possible, what was the quantity of specialty gases, in number of cylinders ordered, for ideally the past 3 to 5 years?

RESPONSE 22: The breadth of historical information that is available has been provided in the solicitation.

QUESTION 22: With reference to “Volume of Purchase” – “The Government estimates, but does not guarantee, that the volume of purchase through this Agreement will be approximately $3,000,000.” Based on the in‐house storeroom gas usage referenced in Attachment II, my estimation of the value of business using market competitive gas pricing is a fraction of NIST’s estimate of approximately $3,000,000 over the next 5 years. Is there anything else I am missing to properly assess the business value? Can NIST provide detailed historical information as requested in questions 3 & 4 above? Furthermore, is it possible to provide estimates of volumes and cylinder sizes specifically noted in the the Specialty Gases ‐ Attachment I: see list below for particular gases requested for estimates for the duration of the Agreement 5 years from date of award?

a) Air, Zero Grade

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b) Air, HCF Grade

c) Air, Synthetic Grade

d) Air, Ultra Zero Grade

e) Air, UZAM Grade

f) Argon, UHP Grade

g) Argon, Zero Grade

h) Carbon Dioxide, Bone Dry

i) Carbon Dioxide, Coleman Grade

j) Carbon Dioxide, Instrument Grade (99.99%)

k) Carbon Dioxide, Research Grade

l) Carbon Dioxide, w/ dip tube

m) Helium, Grade 4.5

n) Helium, Grade 5 (UHP)

o) Helium, Grade 5.5

p) Helium, Research Grade (6)

q) Helium, Zero Grade

r) Hydrogen, Grade 5 (UHP)

s) Hydrogen, HP Grade

t) Hydrogen, Prepurified

u) Hydrogen, Research Grade (6)

v) Methane, Research Grade

w) Methane, UHP Grade

x) Neon, HP Grade

y) Neon, Research Grade

z) Nitric Oxide, CP Grade

aa) Nitrogen, HP Grade

bb) Nitrogen, Research Grade

cc) Nitrogen, UHP Grade

dd) Nitrogen, UZAM Grade

ee) Nitrogen, VOC Grade

ff) Nitrogen, VOC free

gg) Nitrogen, Zero Grade

hh) Nitrous Oxide, Research Grade

ii) Oxygen, Research Grade

jj) Oxygen, UHP Grade

RESPONSE 22: This is a new requirement with new tracking capabilities not previously utilized within NIST. The breadth of historical information that is available has been provided in the solicitation.

QUESTION 23: a) Is it possible to provide actual amounts in $ spent on in‐house gases for the years of 2009‐2011?

b) Is it possible to provide actual amounts in $ spent on specialty gases for the years of 2009‐2011?

RESPONSE 23: The breadth of historical information that is available has been provided in the solicitation.

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QUESTION 24: Can a small number of items not be quoted? Or is it all or nothing? What is the anticipated start month?

RESPONSE 24: All requirements must be met. Reference response 13 re‐start month.

QUESTION 25: Is the “FAR 52.208‐8 Required Sources for Helium and Helium Usage Data (APR 2002)” required for this solicitation…Please clarify NIST’s position as it pertains to the BLM.

RESPONSE 25: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.208‐8 was inadvertently omitted from the solicitation. This amendment incorporates this clause. This clause requires that helium be purchased through a vendor that has an in‐kind crude helium sales contract with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is on the BLM’s Amarillo Field Office list of authorized suppliers.

QUESTION 26: What percentage of the physical work must be performed by the small business to Qualify…Please identify if the small business requirement can be met by partnering with a broker company who does not actually manufacture, distribute, or come in contact with the product in any manner to qualify.

RESPONSE 26: The Limitation in Subcontracting Clause has NOT been incorporated into the request for proposal. The manufacturer and distributor do not both have to be a small business given that the non‐manufacturer rule is waived for the NAICS code governing the solicitation. The prime contractor must be a small business. It is also very important to note that the Government has no privity of contract with subcontractors.

QUESTION 27: What is the manufacturer and model number for the new valves and valve guards referenced in section 4.3? We want to make sure our current equipment will work with the government supplied valves and valve guards.

RESPONSE 27: RESPONSE PENDING

QUESTION 28: Can we get specification drawings for the valves and valve guards?

RESPONSE 28: RESPONSE PENDING

QUESTION 29: Is there a specification for the paint or can we use the cylinder paint brand we use for our own cylinders?

REPONSE 29: The statement of work does not include a paint specification, however it is required that paint used for all cylinders is industry standard that can hold up against weather conditions, and normal wear and tear, including, at a minimum, chipping, peeling, blistering, and/or fading for a period of five to seven years. The statement of work has been amended.

QUESTION 30: Will cylinders that need “touched up” be marked by NIST since no specification is given? Also, there is not an item number for this to be billed under. Would this be classified as a “Painting and Stripping” for bid purposes?

RESPONSE 30: Call orders placed will identify the cylinder. Touch up painting is included under painting and stripping. There is not a separate line item or specification for painting and stripping.

PAGE 7 OF 9 SB1341-12-RP-0002/003

2. Request for Proposal, Section 4, Statement of Work, is hereby amended as follows.

2.1 Section 4. Specific Requirements, paragraph 3 General Requirements, paragraph 3.9 Inspection and Acceptance is hereby amended as follows:

DELETE:

It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure that (1) all specifications are met for all deliverables; (2) All cylinders are delivered with working pressure gauges indicating that the tank is full; and

(3) Cylinders are delivered with a plastic dust cap (contractor-provided) on the valve.

Upon receipt of a delivery, cylinders will be inspected by the Government to verify items 2 and 3 above are met.

ADD:

It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure that (1) all specifications are met for all deliverables; (2) All cylinders equipped with a valve that includes an integrated pressure gauge are delivered with functional pressure gauges. The pressure gauge must indicate that the tank is full; and (3) Cylinders are delivered with a plastic dust cap (contractor-provided) on the valve.

Upon receipt of a delivery, cylinders will be inspected by the Government to verify items 2 and 3 above are met as applicable.

2.2 Section 4. Specific Requirements, paragraph 4.3, Maintenance and Repair of Cylinders, paragraph vi, is hereby changed as follows:

DELETE:

vi. Hydrostatic Testing Hydrostatic testing shall be performed in accordance with Department of Transportation (DOT), Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 49 CFR 180.209, Section 201-215. Reference specifications under Section 4.4 for hydrostatic testing. The hydrostatic test date shall be stamped on the shoulder of each cylinder.

Hydrostatic testing must be completed not later than 30 days after call is placed.

ADD:

viii. Hydrostatic Testing or Ultrasonic Testing Hydrostatic testing and ultrasonic testing are both acceptable test methods. The test methods utilized must meet all applicable regulations.

The hydrostatic test date shall be stamped on the shoulder of each cylinder.

Testing must be completed not later than 30 days after call is placed.

2.3 Section 4. Specific Requirements, 4.3 Maintenance and Repair of Cylinders, paragraph iii Painting and Stripping is hereby amended to add the following:

This statement of work does not include a paint specification, however it is required that paint used for all cylinders is industry standard that can hold up against weather conditions, and normal wear and tear, including, at a minimum, chipping, peeling, blistering, and/or fading for a period of five years.

2.4 Section 4. Specific Requirements paragraph 4.4 Cylinder Service Upgrades is hereby amended as follows:

DELETE:

Notwithstanding requirements for hydrostatic testing, cylinder upgrades shall include all of the following. Hydrostatic testing shall be performed on cylinders in accordance with Compressed Gas Association (CGA) guidelines.

PAGE 8 OF 9 SB1341-12-RP-0002/003

ADD:

Cylinder upgrades shall include all of the following:…

2.5 Section 4. Specific Requirements, paragraph 4.4 Cylinder Upgrade, paragraph ii Painting and Stripping is hereby amended to add the following:

This statement of work does not include a paint specification, however it is required that paint used for all cylinders is industry standard that can hold up against weather conditions, and normal wear and tear, including, at a minimum, chipping, peeling, blistering, and/or fading for a period of five years.

2.6 Section 4. Specific Requirements paragraph 4.4 Cylinder Service Upgrade, paragraph iv, Cleaning Including Hydrostatic Testing as Required is hereby deleted in its entirety.

2.7 Section 4. Specific Requirements, paragraph 4.4 Cylinder Service Upgrade, paragraph iii is hereby added as follows:

iii. Test Methods Hydrostatic testing and ultrasonic testing are both acceptable test methods. The test methods utilized must meet all applicable regulations.

The hydrostatic test date shall be stamped on the shoulder of each cylinder.

Testing must be completed not later than 30 days after call is placed.

2.8 Section 4. Specific Requirements, paragraph 4.4 Cylinder Service Upgrade, paragraph iv (duplicate paragraph number) , Cylinder Preparation, is hereby changed as follows:

DELETE:

iv. Cylinder Preparation Pull vacuum to 10mm of mercury.

Purge with intended gas a minimum of three times at a minimum of 50

PSI.

Fill with intended gas.

Apply a fill label.

**First fill after hydrostatic testing; Check for moisture. Moisture must be less than 5 ppm.

ADD:

iv. Cylinder Preparation for First Fill First fill after hydrostatic testing; Check for moisture. Moisture must be less than 5 ppm.

Pull vacuum at a minimum of 50 PSI to 10mm of mercury. Purge with intended gas, repeat a minimum of two times.

Fill with intended gas.

Apply a fill label.

There are three exceptions to the pull vacuum and purge requirement;

Acetylene, CO2 and Propane. Cylinder preparation for these gases shall be performed in accordance with the Contractor’s commercial standards and practices.

2.9 Section 4.5 Tracking System, 4.5.1 Required Fields, the following change is hereby incorporated:

DELETE: NIST Internal Bar Code Number (Limit field to 6 numerical characters) ADD: NIST Internal Number (Limit field to 6 numerical characters)

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2.10 Section 5 Tasks, 5.1 Scanners and Scanning, 5.1.1 Scanners, paragraph (d) is changed as follows:

DELETE:

d. Printers. Qty 2. Printers must have the capability to print self-adhesive thermal label via the tracking system that can be affixed to gas cylinder bottles. The size of the thermal label shall not exceed 6.0” in length x 4.5” in width. Printers shall not be portable.

ADD:

d. Printers. Qty 2. Printers must have the capability to print self-adhesive vinyl labesl via the tracking system that will be affixed to cylinders. The size of the vinyl label must be ¾” high by 2” wide. Printer shall be desk top, not hand held.

3. The following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause is hereby incorporated and made a part of the solicitation:

52.208-8 Required Sources for Helium and Helium Usage Data.

(a) Definitions.

“Bureau of Land Management,” as used in this clause, means the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Amarillo Field Office, Helium Operations, located at 801 South Fillmore Street, Suite 500, Amarillo, TX 79101-3545.

“Federal helium supplier” means a private helium vendor that has an in-kind crude helium sales contract with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and that is on the BLM Amarillo Field Office’s Authorized List of Federal Helium Suppliers available via the Internet at http://www.nm.blm.gov/www/amfo/amfo_home.html.

“Major helium requirement” means an estimated refined helium requirement greater than 200,000 standard cubic feet (scf) (measured at 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute pressure and 70 degrees Fahrenheit temperature) of gaseous helium or 7510 liters of liquid helium delivered to a helium use location per year.

(b) Requirements—

(1) Contractors must purchase major helium requirements from Federal helium suppliers, to the extent that supplies are available.

(2) The Contractor shall provide to the Contracting Officer the following data within 10 days after the Contractor or subcontractor receives a delivery of helium from a Federal helium supplier—

(i) The name of the supplier;

(ii) The amount of helium purchased;

(iii) The delivery date(s); and

(iv) The location where the helium was used.

(c) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall insert this clause, including this paragraph (c), in any subcontract or order that involves a major helium requirement.

100 BUREAU DRIVE STOP 1640

BUILDING 301 ROOM B129

GAITHERSBURG MD 20899-1640