RFP.pdf

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE 1 OF

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE

DATE

4. ORDER NUMBER 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE

DATE

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (No collect calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/

LOCAL TIME

9. ISSUED BY

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

CODE

15. DELIVER TO 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE 17a. CONTRACTOR/

OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY

CODE

CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN

OFFER

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK

BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF.

DATED . YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print) 30c. DATE SIGNED

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 3/2005)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

10. THIS ACQUISITON IS

UNRESTRICTED OR

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

OFFER

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

SET ASIDE: % FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-

OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

EMERGING SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

RFQ IFB RFP

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 3/2005) BACK

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED:

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE

41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER 41c. DATE

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

40. PAID BY

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE 32f. TELPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER 35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

PARTIAL FINAL

37. CHECK NUMBER

38. S/R ACCOUNT NO. 39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER

36. PAYMENT

COMPLETE PARTIAL FINAL

SCHEDULE Continued

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

PAGE 3 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

BASE PERIOD

LINE ITEMS 0001-0004

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

One Year from the Date of Award

0001 In-House Gases in accordance with the Statement of Work.

0.00 EA

0001A Acetylene

Storeroom Stock Number 65381

1.00 CL

0001B Acetylene

Storeroom Stock Number 65383

0001C Acetylene

Storeroom Stock Number 65385

0001D Breathing Air

Storeroom Stock Number 65391

0001E Argon

Storeroom Stock Number 65398

0001F P-10

Storeroom Stock Number 65402

0001G Carbon Dioxide

Storeroom Stock Number 65409

0001H Forming Gas

Storeroom Stock Number 65419

0001I Helium

Storeroom Stock Number 65441

0001J Hydrogen

Storeroom Stock Number 65458

0001K Nitrogen

Storeroom Stock Number 65482

0001L Oxygen

Storeroom Stock Number 65497

0001M Propane

Storeroom Stock Number 65511

0001N Gas UHP Helium

Storeroom Stock Number 100021

0001O Gas Research Helium

Storeroom Stock Number 100023

0001P Gas UHP Argon

Storeroom Stock Number 100024

PAGE 4 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

0001Q Gas UHP Nitrogen Storeroom Stock Number 100025

0001R Gas Methane

Storeroom Stock Number 100027

0002 Demurrage Charges After First 30 Days (Specialty

Gases) in accordance with the Statement of Work.

1.00 EA

0003 Maintenance and Repair of Cylinders, Equipment and

Certificates of Analysis in accordance with the Statement of Work.

0003A General Inspection

1.00 JB

0003B Lettering and Stenciling

0003C Painting and Stripping

0003D Install Safety Cap

0003E Install Safety Valve Guard

0003F Install New Valve Assembly

0003G Hydrostatic Testing

0003H Return of Non-Repairable Cylinder

0003I Equipment in accordance with Section 5.1.1 of the

Statement of Work.

1.00 LO

0003J Certificate of Analysis

0004 Cylinder Upgrades in accordance with the Statement of

0004A Cylinder Upgrades

Minimum Quantity for Base Period 100 Cylinders

0004B Cylinder Upgrade

Quantity 25 Cylinders

0004C Cylinder Upgrades

0004D Cylinder Upgrades

0004E Cylinder Upgrades 1.00 LO

PAGE 5 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

0004F Cylinder Upgrades

0004G Cylinder Upgrades

OPTION PERIOD I

LINE ITEMS 0005 - 0008

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Two Years from the Date of Award

0005 In-House Gases in accordance with the Statement of

0005A Acetylene

0005B Acetylene

0005C Acetylene

0005D Breathing Air

0005E Argon

0005F P-10

0005G Carbon Dioxide

0005H Forming Gas

0005I Helium

0005J Hydrogen

0005K Nitrogen

0005L Oxygen

0005M Propane

PAGE 6 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

0005N Gas UHP Helium

0005O Gas Research Helium

0005P Gas UHP Argon

0005Q Gas UHP Nitrogen

0005R Gas Methane

0006 Demurrage Charges After First 30 Days (Specialty

0007 Maintenance and Repair of Cylinders, Equipment and

0007A General Inspection

0007B Lettering and Stenciling

0007C Painting and Stripping

0007D Install Safety Cap

0007E Install Safety Valve Guard

0007F Install New Valve Assembly

0007G Hydrostatic Testing

0007H Return of Non-Repairable Cylinder

0007I Equipment in accordance with Section 5.1.1 of the

Statement of Work

0007J Certificate of Analysis

0008 Cylinder Upgrades in accordance with the Statement of

0008A Cylinder Upgrades

Minimum Quantity for Option Period I

0008B Cylinder Upgrade

PAGE 7 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

0008C Cylinder Upgrades

0008D Cylinder Upgrades

0008E Cylinder Upgrades

0008F Cylinder Upgrades

0008G Cylinder Upgrades

OPTION PERIOD II

LINE ITEMS 0009 - 0012

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Three Years from the Date of Award

0009 In-House Gases in accordance with the Statement of

0009A Acetylene

0009B Acetylene

0009C Acetylene

0009D Breathing Air

0009E Argon

0009F P-10

0009G Carbon Dioxide

0009H Forming Gas

0009I Helium

0009J Hydrogen

0009K Nitrogen

PAGE 8 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

0009L Oxygen

0009M Propane

0009N Gas UHP Helium

0009O Gas Research Helium

0009P Gas UHP Argon

0009Q Gas UHP Nitrogen

0009R Gas Methane

0010 Demurrage Charges After First 30 Days (Specialty

0011 Maintenance and Repair of Cylinders, Equipment and

0011A General Inspection

0011B Lettering and Stenciling

0011C Painting and Stripping

0011D Install Safety Cap

0011E Install Safety Valve Guard

0011F Install New Valve Assembly

0011G Hydrostatic Testing

0011H Return of Non-Repairable Cylinder

0011I Equipment in accordance with section 5.1.1 of the statement of work

0011J Certificate of Analysis

0012 Cylinder Upgrades in accordance with the Statement of

PAGE 9 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

0012A Cylinder Upgrades Minimum Quantity for Option Period II

0012B Cylinder Upgrade

0012C Cylinder Upgrades

0012D Cylinder Upgrades

0012E Cylinder Upgrades

0012F Cylinder Upgrades

0012G Cylinder Upgrades

OPTION PERIOD III

LINE ITEMS 0013 - 0016

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Four Years from the Date of Award

0013 In-House Gases in accordance with the Statement of

0013A Acetylene

0013B Acetylene

0013C Acetylene

0013D Breathing Air

0013E Argon

0013F P-10

0013G Carbon Dioxide

0013H Forming Gas

PAGE 10 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

0013I Helium

0013J Hydrogen

0013K Nitrogen

0013L Oxygen

0013M Propane

0013N Gas UHP Helium

0013O Gas Research Helium

0013P Gas UHP Argon

0013Q Gas UHP Nitrogen

0013R Gas Methane

0014 Demurrage Charges After First 30 Days (Specialty

0015 Maintenance and Repair of Cylinders, Equipment and

0015A General Inspection

0015B Lettering and Stenciling

0015C Painting and Stripping

0015D Install Safety Cap

0015E Install Safety Valve Guard

0015F Install New Valve Assembly

0015G Hydrostatic Testing

0015H Return of Non-Repairable Cylinder

PAGE 11 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

0015I Equipment in accordance with Section 5.1.1 of the

0015J Certificate of Analysis

0016 Cylinder Upgrades in accordance with the Statement of

0016A Cylinder Upgrades

Minimum Quantity for Option Period III 75 Cylinders

0016B Cylinder Upgrade

0016C Cylinder Upgrades

0016D Cylinder Upgrades

0016E Cylinder Upgrades

OPTION PERIOD IV

LINE ITEMS 0017 - 0020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Five Years from the Date of Award

0017 In-House Gases in accordance with the Statement of

0017A Acetylene

0017B Acetylene

0017C Acetylene

0017D Breathing Air

0017E Argon

0017F P-10

0017G Carbon Dioxide

0017H Forming Gas

PAGE 12 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

0017I Helium

0017J Hydrogen

0017K Nitrogen

0017L Oxygen

0017M Propane

0017N Gas UHP Helium

0017O Gas Research Helium

0017P Gas UHP Argon

0017Q Gas UHP Nitrogen

0017R Gas Methane

0018 Demurrage Charges After First 30 Days (Specialty

0019 Maintenance and Repair of Cylinders, Equipment and

0019A General Inspection

0019B Lettering and Stenciling

0019C Painting and Stripping

0019D Install Safety Cap

0019E Install Safety Valve Guard

0019F Install New Valve Assembly

0019G Hydrostatic Testing

0019H

PAGE 13 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

Return of Non-Repairable Cylinder

0019I Equipment in accordance of Section 5.1.1 of the

0019J Certificate of Analysis

0020 Cylinder Upgrades in accordance with the Statement of

0020A Cylinder Upgrades

Minimum Quantity for Option Period IV 50 Cylinders

0020B Cylinder Upgrade

0020C Cylinder Upgrades

0020D Cylinder Upgrades

0020E Cylinder Upgrades

Table of Contents

PAGE 14 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

SECTION

. 1 BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT ADMINISTRATION

. 2 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

. 3 52.212-2 EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS

. 4 STATEMENT OF WORK

. 5 ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1

. 6 1352.201-70 CONTRACTING OFFICER?s AUTHORITY (APR 2010)

. 7 1352.201-72 CONTRACTING OFFICER?s REPRESENTATIVE (C0R) (APR 2010)

. 8 52.204-4 PRINTED OR COPIED DOUBLE-SIDED ON POSTCONSUMER FIBER CONTENT PAPER (MAY 2011)

. 9 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (JAN 2011)

. 10 52.209-9 UPDATES OF PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (JAN

2011)

. 11 1352.209-73 COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAWS (APR 2010)

. 12 1352.209-74 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST (APR 2010)

. 13 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JUN 2008)

. 14 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (NOV 2011)

. 15 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JUN 2010)

. 16 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS--

COMMERCIAL ITEMS (NOV 2011)

. 17 1352.215-72 INQUIRIES (APR 2010)

. 18 52.217-5 EVALUATION OF OPTIONS (JUL 1990)

. 19 52.217-7 OPTION FOR INCREASED QUANTITY--SEPARATELY PRICED LINE ITEM (MAR 1989)

. 20 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

. 21 52.225-18 PLACE OF MANUFACTURE (SEP 2006)

. 22 52.225-25 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES ENGAGING IN SANCTIONED ACTIVITIES

RELATING TO IRAN--REPRESENTATION AND CERTIFICATION (NOV 2011)

. 23 52.227-14 RIGHTS IN DATA--GENERAL (DEC 2007)

. 24 1352.228-70 INSURANCE COVERAGE (APR 2010)

. 25 52.233-4 APPLICABLE LAW FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT CLAIM (OCT 2004)

. 26 1352.233-70 AGENCY PROTESTS (APR 2010)

. 27 1352.233-71 GAO AND COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS PROTESTS (APR 2010)

. 28 52.237-2 PROTECTION OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, EQUIPMENT, AND VEGETATION (APR 1984)

. 29 52.237-3 CONTINUITY OF SERVICES (JAN 1991)

. 30 1352.237-75 KEY PERSONNEL (APR 2010)

. 31 52.245-1 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY (AUG 2010)

. 32 52.247-34 F.O.B. DESTINATION (NOV 1991)

. 33 52.247-66 RETURNABLE CYLINDERS (MAY 1994)

. 34 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

. 35 NIST LOCAL-04 BILLING INSTRUCTIONS

. 36 NIST LOCAL-43 HAND DELIVERY OF QUOTES OR PROPOSALS

PAGE 15 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

SECTION

. 1 BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT ADMINISTRATION

BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT ADMINISTRATION

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (MAR 2000)

The period of performance of this contract shall be for a period of one year from the date of award with four one year option periods.

(End of clause)

PURCHASE LIMITATION

The amount of any single purchase under this Agreement shall not exceed

$150,000.00.

1352.216-76 PLACEMENT OF ORDERS (MAR 2000)

The Contractor shall provide all required products and services under this

BPA as directed by the placement of calls by authorized personnel of the

NIST/Storeroom and/or the NIST Acquisition Management Division.

Authorized NIST employees will place orders via written calls, on-line, or via e-mail. Authorized employees will identify themselves by name, and provide the following information: BPA Number, line item number of the gas and/or maintenance service being purchased, and the timeline and location for for delivery, if different from the terms of this Agreement.

Each BPA Call will include the following information:

(i) Date of order;

(ii) BPA Number and order identifying number;

(iii) Description, quantity, unit price, and total amount for each item

Ordered in accordance with the line item schedule in the BPA;

(iv) Place of delivery if other than NIST Storeroom;

(v) Government Payment Card number for payment;

(vi) Any other pertinent information.

The following are authorized to place orders against this contract:

(TO BE IDENTIFIED AT THE TIME OF AWARD)

OBLIGATION OF FUNDS

This BPA does not obligate any funds. BPA calls shall be placed using written calls or on-line ordering under the authority of FAR Part 13 and

Agency regulations. Placement of calls obligates funds.

VOLUME OF PURCHASE

The Government estimates, but does not guarantee, that the volume of purchase through this Agreement will be approximately $3,000,000.00.

EXTENT OF OBLIGATION

The Government is obligated only to the extent of authorized purchases actually made under this Agreement.

. 2 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

PAGE 16 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

ATTACHMENT I: List of SAMPLE Specialty Gas Mixtures

ATTACHMENT II: Storeroom Gas Historical Usage

ATTACHMENT III: Special Publication 800-53 entitled “Recommended

Security Controls for Federal Information

Systems and Organizations

ATTACHHMENT IV: Price Evaluation Format

. 3 52.212-2 EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS

PAGE 17 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

52.212-2 EVALUATION--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 1999)

The Government will award a Blanket Purchase Agreement resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Offeror whose offer, conforming to the solicitation, represents the best value to the Government, price nd non-price factors considered.

NIST anticipates a single award to the Offeror who provides the

Government with the best value, based upon an assessment of proposals against technical evaluation factors and price. In making the best value determination, the technical evaluation factors, when combined, shall be equal in importance to price.

Technical Evaluation Factors

The proposal will be evaluated against the following technical evaluation factors:

TECHNICAL CAPABILITY 25 POINTS

PRODUCT QUALITY 25 POINTS

TRACKING SYSTEM 25 POINTS

PAST PERFORMANCE 25 POINTS

TECHNICAL CAPABILITY

Documentation shall be evaluated to determine that offerors can successfully complete all required tasks, supply all required products and equipment, perform all required maintenance, perform cylinder upgrades, supply all required cylinder sizes, manufacture, provide testing for and deliver all in-house gases and a wide range of specialty gases, and provide customer service support.

Documentation submitted shall be evaluated for compliance with the statement of work and overall feasibility.

In determining best value, preference shall be given to offerors who can provide Grades 5 and 6 gases as in-house gases.

PRODUCT QUALITY

Documentation shall be evaluated to determine that the manufacturing process for in-house and specialty gases minimizes cross-contamination and will meet specifications. Specifically, does the Contractor remove the contents of a cylinder or fill on top when the fill process is executed, and how does the offeror ensure that the final product will meet all statement of work requirements.

Supporting documentation shall be evaluated for consistency with the quality control procedures provided.

TRACKING SYSTEM

Documentation shall be evaluated to determine whether the proposed tracking system meets all required specifications. The Contractor’s processes and procedures on security and maintenance shall be evaluated for feasibility and compliance with the statement of work.

PAGE 18 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

PAST PERFORMANCE

Evaluation of Past Performance shall be based on the references provided and/or the offeror’s recent and relevant procurement history with NIST, its’ affiliates, and/or other relevant references.

Performance evaluation shall determine the overall quality of the services and end products provided by the Contractor.

Offerors with no relevant past performance shall not be rated favorably or unfavorably.

Price

The proposed price will be evaluated but not scored. The price evaluation will determine whether the proposed prices are realistic, complete, and reasonable in relation to the solicitation requirements.

Proposed prices must be entirely compatible with the technical proposal.

A Mock Call Order for products and services, representative of those that will be will be ordered under the resulting BPA, is an attachment to this RFP. While this Mock Call Order does not constitute an actual order, Offerors are required to provide a price for the mock call order with their proposal.

The proposed price will be evaluated for realism and reasonableness and to further determine the offeror’s understanding of the work required.

Notification for Award

A written notice of award shall be furnished to successful offerors.

(End of Provision)

. 4 STATEMENT OF WORK

PAGE 19 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

1. BACKGROUND

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Storeroom and Warehouse is an 11,500 square foot facility, with a 2,700 square foot sales floor, located in Building 301 on the NIST Campus. The Storeroom is a part of the NIST

Administrative Services Division, Logistics Storeroom Section. Their mission is to service customers better than anyone else could serve them and provide customers the highest quality, variety and convenience at a competitive price.

The Storeroom stocks various commodities for use by NIST personnel. The Storeroom also maintains an on-line catalog to provide NIST personnel with current information on items available.

The Storeroom also provides cylinder gases for the NIST Gaithersburg Campus. This service includes ordering of storeroom gases, ordering of specialty gases, delivery and pick up of cylinders to remote buildings, and management, repair and maintenance of the cylinders.

2. PURPOSE

The purpose of this requirement is to establish a single blanket purchase agreement (BPA) for cylinder gas products and services. This acquisition is not seeking a Contractor to facilitate the operation of the Storeroom, but to deliver the required products and services identified herein.

Work under this BPA shall provide all of the following:

a. Cylinder gases;

b. All maintenance, repair and upgrades to the NIST owned cylinders;

c. Specialty gases in NIST-owned and/or Contractor owned cylinders;

d. A tracking system to manage and track all cylinders on the NIST campus;

e. Upgrades to existing NIST-owned cylinders such that all cylinders will fully meet the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) Standards for cylinder gases and improve the safe handling and use of the cylinders.

3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Placement of Calls

The Contractor shall not perform any service or deliver any product without issuance of a BPA call.

NIST will award BPA calls on-line through the tracking system, (Reference

Section 4.5.2(ii) – Upload External File), however, calls may be placed via written calls, or via e-mail as required.

Authorized NIST employees will place calls. A list of authorized individuals is identified in “List of Authorized Callers.” Upon issuance of a call, the

Contractor must provide a call confirmation number. All call confirmation numbers must be unique.

The Government will consider a call placed upon issuance of the call number through the tracking system.

3.2 Electronic Call Confirmation

Contractors must have the ability to provide an electronic call confirmation through the tracking system and an itemized delivery ticket. A delivery ticket must accompany all deliveries.

The call confirmation shall include the Contractor’s confirmation number, list of the products/services ordered, and delivery date for each product and service ordered in accordance with the BPA requirements and/or, for specialty gases, the delivery time agreed upon between the Contractor and the

Government.

PAGE 20 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

3.3 Delivery Ticket

All shipments shall be delivered with an itemized delivery ticket that includes all of the following:

(1) Name of supplier;

(2) BPA number;

(3) Date (of order/call placement);

(4) Call Number;

(5) Name of person placing the call;

(6) Serial number of all cylinders being delivered;

(7) Itemized list of products and/or services purchased including name of gas purchased.

For Storeroom Gases the confirmation must identify the NIST internal stock number and name of gas purchased.

(8) Quantity, unit of issue, unit price, and total amount of each product and/or service;

(9) Delivery date;

(10)Comments and/or special shipping instructions.

If multiple calls are delivered, each call shall be delivered with a delivery ticket specific to the call.

NIST will utilize Contractor-owned cylinder pallets (metal or wooden at the

Contractor’s discretion) to return empty cylinders for refilling or return the pallets empty not later than 30 days after receipt. The Contractor shall pick up metal pallets when they pick up empty cylinders to be filled. NIST will recycle all wooden pallets at NIST’s expense.

Partial deliveries must be approved, in advance, by the NIST Contracting Officer’s

Representative (COR). The products/completed services being delivered and backorders must be updated by the Contractor in the tracking system.

When the balance of a partial shipment is delivered, the Contractor shall identify the partial shipment by putting a suffix on the call number (i.e. call number-1 or

-2) on the delivery ticket.

3.4 Shipment and Delivery of Calls

Delivery terms shall be FOB Destination. Unit prices shall be inclusive of all shipping charges.

Cylinders shall be prepared for shipment and delivered in accordance with

Department of Transportation (DOT) 49 CFR 180.209. All cylinders must be able to be safely used in the condition that they are delivered.

Containers and packaging shall comply with Uniform Freight Classification rules, or regulations of other carriers, as applicable to the mode of transportation.

Products ordered under calls shall be delivered to NIST’s central shipping and receiving facility located at Building 301, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD.

Cylinders shall be picked up at the same facility. It is standard practice that

NIST personnel be responsible for distributing the cylinders throughout the campus and returning empty cylinders to the central shipping and receiving location.

The Government reserves the right to require the Contractor to deliver specialty gases to the end user’s laboratory after cylinders are received in NIST shipping and receiving. This requirement will generally apply to gases that are hazardous and/or poisonous or in excessively large containers (i.e. liquid argon). The COR will identify this need on the request for pricing and the subsequent call. The

Contractor shall not deliver directly to any location other than NIST shipping and receiving without the written consent of the COR.

The Contractor shall NOT deliver directly to any building on the NIST campus other than the Building 301 location unless expressly authorized to do so by the COR.

PAGE 21 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

For orders of 10 or in excess of 10 cylinders of compatible gases, the Contractor shall palletize the cylinders on cylinder pallets. Cylinders must be standing upright vertically on steel pallets.

Shipment of fewer than 10 cylinders on other than cylinder pallets and/or not standing upright vertically requires prior approval by the COR and must be confirmed within the context of the call information. This type of shipment may be recommended by the Contractor based on the type of gas being delivered.

Compatible gases refers to transportation requirements of DOT 49 CFR 180.209.

Cylinders must be delivered with a plastic dust cap (Contractor-provided) on the valve.

3.5 Designated Customer Service Representative

The Contractor shall identify one or two designated customer service representatives for the NIST account to handle questions, issues and problems that may arise on any products and services required under this Blanket

Purchase Agreement. Questions, issues and problems may be handled in person, via telephone, or via e-mail at the Contractor’s discretion. This/these individual(s) shall be designated as “Key Personnel” in the Blanket Purchase Agreement.

Customer Service Representative(s) shall be responsible to provide a response not later than one business day after a question is initiated.

3.6 Security Requirements

During regular business hours, delivery drivers must produce current, valid photo identification.

3.7 Regular Delivery Schedule

The Contractor shall schedule pick-up of empty cylinders and delivery of cylinders in accordance with the following requirements:

1. IN-HOUSE GASES must be delivered not later than five (5) business days after call is placed;

SPECIALTY GASES: Reference Section 4.2.1;

2. Pick-up and delivery must be Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern

Time and/or Wednesday and Friday between the hours of 1:00 PM and

3:00 PM Eastern Time;

3. MAINTENANCE SERVICES: The Contractor shall complete maintenance and repair of cylinders in accordance with the requirements of

Section 4.3.

The Contractor shall provide written notice to the Contracting Officer’s

Representative if these timelines cannot be met. Modified delivery timelines must be approved, in advance, by the COR. Excessive requests for delivery extensions shall be directed to the Contracting Officer by the COR. For in-house gases, notice must be provided not later than 24 hours after the call is placed. For specialty gases, notice must be provided within 24 hours of the Contractor’s identification of a delay.

NIST reserves the right to require expedited delivery as needed. Fees associated with expedited delivery will be negotiated by the Contractor prior to the call being placed.

In the event that NIST is scheduled for closure for any reason on order or delivery days, the following schedule shall apply. Scheduled closures include Federal holidays.

PAGE 22 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

If the closed date falls on an order date, then the order will be placed on the first business day prior to the normal order date.

If the closed date falls on a delivery date, then the delivery will be scheduled for the first business day following the normal delivery date.

In the event that NIST is closed due to national emergency, inclement weather or for any other unscheduled closure on order or delivery days, ordering or delivery shall occur on the following business day. The

Contractor can verify NIST’s status using telephone number 301-975-8000.

The Government will not be responsible for costs incurred by the Contractor for unsuccessful delivery attempts associated with national emergency, inclement weather or for any other unscheduled closure.

3.8 Return Authorization

The Contractor shall be 100% responsible for return authorizations, the return of overshipments, damaged items, duplicate orders, incorrect shipments, any product that is received in error from the Contractor, and/or any delivery made without a prior authorized BPA call.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Contractor must correct any non-compliance issue and/or provide consideration not later than seven days from the date the issue is identified to the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

Based on the issue identified, the Government may authorize a longer resolution time.

When applicable, the Contractor must facilitate the return process and issue a credit to the Purchase Card within 5 days after notification of an issue by the

3.9 Inspection and Acceptance

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.

Latent defects will be documented in the tracking system (Reference Section 4.5) and communicated in writing to key personnel, via e-mail, through the COR and/or the Contracting Officer.

The Contractor shall be responsible to correct all defects and/or deficiencies for any cylinders that do not meet all requirements above. A replacement cylinder must be delivered not later than 3 business days after the rejected cylinders is/are returned to the Contractor. The tracking system will be updated by the COR to document the return and the reason for the rejection.

The Government reserves the right to negotiate consideration for delays encountered due to rejected cylinders.

3.10 Payment

A Purchase Card, issued by the United States Government, shall be utilized as the primary means of payment under this Blanket Purchase Agreement. Contractors must have an established merchant account capable of accepting Visa and Mastercard over the phone or through their on-line ordering capability.

Partial payments shall not be authorized, however, the Government intends to order products and services with comparable delivery timelines on a single call.

PAGE 23 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

4. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

4.1 In-House Gases

In-house gases are pure analytical gases that NIST Storeroom stocks in a centralized area on the NIST Gaithersburg Campus. These gases are provided on a recurring need and the most often used. In-house gases may be subject to change as the needs of NIST change, however, changes will be incorporated via modification to the agreement.

Below is a current inventory of in-house gases and cylinder sizes. NIST-owned cylinders must be utilized to maintain the inventory of each of these gases. In-house gases will be ordered by NIST on an as-needed basis via BPA call. Each call shall identify the quantity, unit of issue, unit price and total amount for each gas.

All cylinders must be filled and delivered to NIST with at least 95% fill pressure allowed by DOT based on the size and material of the cylinder.

Historical usage, specifically, the number of cylinders ordered within a one year period is included in Attachment II.

65381 - Acetylene - GAS, ACETYLENE, DISSOLVED, C2H2, TECH GRADE, GRADE B, MINIMUM PURITY 98.0%. 10CU FT

65383 - Acetylene - GAS, ACETYLENE, DISSOLVED, C2H2, TECH GRADE, GRADE B, MINIMUM PURITY 98.0%. 40CU

65385 - Acetylene - GAS, ACETYLENE, DISSOLVED, C2H2, TECH GRADE, GRADE B, MINIMUM PURITY 98.0%. 225CU

65391 - Breathing Air - GAS, BREATHING AIR, 80% NITROGEN / 20% OXYGEN, DEWPOINT 70 DEG F:(OXYGEN CONTENT 19%-23%) 220 CU FT

65398 - Argon - GAS, ARGON, WATER PUMPED, GRADE A, TECH GRADE, PURITY

99.996%. CAPACITY 220 CU.FT.

65402 - P-10 - GAS, P-10, ARGON 90% - METHANE 10%, FOR PROPORTIONAL AND GEIGER

COUNTER UNITS. CAPACITY 220 CU. FT.

65409 - Carbon Dioxide - GAS, CARBON DIOXIDE, CO2, TECHNICAL, LOW

MOISTURE,SIZE #1, FS BB-C-101, GRADE B TYPE II; MINIMUM PURITY 99.5%. 50 LB

CAPACITY.

65419 - Forming Gas - FORMING GAS, WATER PUMPED, NITROGEN 95% - HYDROGEN 5%.

CAPACITY 220 CU.FT.

65441 - Helium - GAS, HELIUM, TECHNICAL, CAPACITY 200 CU. FT, GRADE A, PURITY

99%

65458 – Hydrogen* - GAS, HYDROGEN, H2, TECH. GRADE, MINIMUM PURITY 99.5%, CAPACITY 200 CU. FT.

*Hydrogen is classified as an in-house gas, however, NIST will stock a minimal amount of hydrogen on-site. NIST plans to place calls for hydrogen on an as-needed basis.

65482 - Nitrogen - GAS, NITROGEN, SUPER DRY, 3.53PPM H20 MINIMUM PURITY

99.95%, CAPACITY 220 CU.FT.

65497 - Oxygen - GAS, OXYGEN. 02, PURITY 99.5%, CAPACITY 220 CU. FT

65511 - Propane - GAS, PROPANE, C3H8, COMMERICAL MINIMUM PURITY 95% CAPACITY –

33 LB OR 100 LB.

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The following five (5) gases are currently categorized as specialty gases due to the purity level, however, NIST prefers that these gases be provided as in-house gases and in NIST-owned cylinders. Offeror’s proposals shall clearly identify these gases as specialty or in-house. As these gases would be new to the Storeroom inventory, no ordering history is available.

100021 - GAS, HELIUM, 99.999% ULTRA-HIGH PURITY, 300 CuFt;

100023 - GAS, HELIUM, 99.9999% RESEARCH PURITY, 300 CuFt;

100024 - GAS, ARGON, 99.999% ULTRA-HIGH PURITY, 300 CuFt;

100025 - GAS, NITROGEN, 99.999% ULTRA-HIGH PURITY, 300 CuFt;

100027 - GAS, METHANE: 5%, ARGON: BALANCE, 300 CuFt.

4.2 Specialty Gases

4.2.1 Specialty gases are those gases that NIST does not have a high demand to stock for research. Specialty gases will be delivered in a Contractor-owned cylinder that meets the safety requirements of

Section 4.4 below.

Specialty gas mixtures that have been ordered in the past two years are included in Attachment I. Attachment I is a sample of the types of mixtures that are considered specialty gases. This is not intended to be a complete list of requirements. The required gases will vary by the lab specific needs and will provide the specific mixture that meets the need of the researcher. Specifics of each mixture will be provided with each request for pricing for specialty gases.

NIST will purchase specialty gases in cylinders ranging in size from a lecture bottle to a 300 cubic foot cylinder. It is anticipated that steel and aluminum cylinders, as well as other cylinder types will be utilized based on the mixture composition being ordered, and as required by the

Compressed Gas Association (CGA).

The Government reserves the right to require a certificate of analysis

(cylinder specific), or a certificate of conformance (lot specific). This requirement will be identified at the time the request for pricing is issued.

It is noted that compressed gas Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) will not be ordered under this blanket purchase agreement.

Individuals authorized to place calls or the NIST Acquisition Management

Division will issue requests for pricing for specialty gases to the

Contractor via fax or e-mail. The Contractor shall confirm receipt of the request for pricing, via e-mail to the sender, not later than one calendar day after receipt of the request.

The Contractor shall provide pricing for the required specialty gas, via fax or e-mail, not later than five calendar days after receipt of the request for pricing. All pricing shall include all of the following information:

-NIST request for pricing identifier (i.e. number;)

-Description provided by NIST;

-Specifications of specialty gas being quoted by the Contractor;

-Quantity;

-Unit of Issue;

-Unit Price;

-Extended total amount;

-Delivery timeline.

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It is anticipated that specialty gases will be delivered not later than one month from the date the call is placed, however, the Contractor shall provide the delivery timeline in their response to each request for pricing.

Most delivery timelines will be quoted by the Contractor, however, specific delivery requirements for any given specialty gas will be specified in the request for pricing. Specific delivery requirements will not be negotiable.

The Contractor’s pricing will be evaluated for compliance with required specifications, including cylinder size, and delivery timeline. Price shall be evaluated for reasonableness.

The Government reserves the right not to place a call if the Contractor’s pricing does not meet all required specifications, cylinder size, and/or if the price quoted cannot be determined fair and reasonable.

4.2.2 Contractor-owned cylinders must be demurrage free for the first 30 calendar days. Demurrage charges shall be assessed, at the rate of $_________ (RATE

SHALL BE NEGOTIATED PRIOR TO AWARD), for every 30 calendar day period after the initial use period of 30 days. These cylinders must be tracked through the tracking system such that the commencement date for demurrage charges can be clearly discerned.

In accordance with FAR 52.247-66 Returnable Cylinders, the Government will pay demurrage up to the replacement value of the cylinder as provided by the

Contractor. Upon payment of demurrage equivalent to the replacement value of any given cylinder, the Contractor must transfer ownership of the cylinder to the Government. The Contractor must provide written documentation of the transfer of ownership to the Government within 30 days from the date payment of demurrage ends. Replacement value of the cylinder shall be determined based on the date the demurrage charge commences for any given cylinder.

If specialty gases are required to be delivered in lecture bottles, the

Government will assume ownership of the lecture bottle upon acceptance of the gas mixture. Lecture bottles must be tracked in the tracking system.

Tracking shall be based on the Contractor’s commercial method if the lecture bottles do not have serial numbers. If lecture bottles have serial numbers, the serial numbers must be utilized for tracking.

The Contractor must accept any lecture bottles ordered under this agreement, for return and disposal during the performance period of this agreement.

The Contractor’s obligation to dispose of lecture bottles purchased under this agreement expires when the period of performance expires.

The Contractor shall provide to NIST a certificate of destruction for each lecture bottle that the Contractor destroys and disposes of. The certification shall include, at a minimum, the appropriate nomenclature for the lecture bottle being destroyed, and the date of destruction.

Prior to shipment of the specialty gas, the Contractor shall affix a bar code label, in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.2, that is the actual serial number of the cylinder and/or lecture bottle being delivered.

This serial number shall be entered into the tracking system by the

Contractor prior to the cylinder/lecture bottle being shipped. The cylinder/lecture bottle can then be tracked by NIST and the Contractor.

4.3 Maintenance and Repair of Cylinders

The maintenance and repair of cylinders shall be performed as required to keep the cylinders to the standards described in Section 4.4. This section assumes that the same gas types will be in the same cylinders. The

Contractor shall not change the gas types in cylinders without the prior approval of the Government.

All maintenance, repairs, and recommended services must be recorded in the tracking system. The Contractor shall not perform maintenance, repairs and/or

PAGE 26 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

recommended services without an authorized call number from an authorized individual.

The following maintenance and repair items shall be performed under this

Agreement in accordance with the timelines specified. Deviations from these timelines must be approved in advance by NIST.

i. General Inspection

Before refilling any cylinders, the Contractor shall perform an overall inspection of each cylinder, safety cap or safety yoke, gauge and valve.

If any deficiencies are noted during this inspection and/or during the filling process, the Contractor shall provide recommendations for repair of deficiencies to the COR through the tracking system.

ii. Lettering and Stenciling.

Cylinders shall be clearly and legibly lettered and stenciled as follows:

-“NIST” shall be stenciled on the side of each cylinder in all capital letters. Letters must be a minimum height of 2”;

-United Nations (UN) markings must be stenciled on the side of each cylinder. Marking shall be in accordance with Department of

Transportation/Code of Federal Regulations (DOT/CFR) 49.172.300.

Nomenclature must be a minimum height of 2”;

-The name of the gas must be stenciled on the side of each cylinder.

Letters must be minimum height of 2”;

-A National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) hazard diamond, with the appropriate hazard levels filled in, must be affixed to each cylinder.

The hazard diamond must be affixed to the side of the cylinder. The hazard diamond must measure 3” x 3” at a minimum.

Lettering and stenciling must be completed not later than 30 days after call is placed.

iii. Painting and Stripping

The stripping process must remove all paint down to the metal.

Painting shall include priming, painting the body and shoulder of the bottle, and touch up painting.

The body of each bottle shall be painted gray. The shoulder of each bottle shall be painted a different color based on the Contractor’s color coding system. Each gas must have a different color.

Paint shall be touched up, as needed, to minimize scratches.

Full cylinder stripping and painting must be completed not later than 30 days after call is placed.

Touch up painting must be completed not later than 7 days after call is placed.

iv. Safety Caps

Safety caps as used in this section means a separate, threaded, cap, that is used to cover the valve in transport to protect the valve assembly.

All NIST cylinders currently have safety caps. However, these safety caps will be replaced with safety valve guards during cylinder upgrades. The existing safety caps must be maintained prior to upgrading cylinders and replacing them with safety valve guards.

PAGE 27 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

Safety caps must be properly installed on each cylinder. If a safety cap is damaged by the Contractor, it must be replaced with a functional cap at the Contractor’s expense. All damaged caps must be returned to NIST.

If the Contractor notes that a cylinder is received from NIST with a damaged safety cap, the Contractor must notify NIST for a replacement.

v. Safety Valve Guard

Safety Valve Guard as used in this section means a threaded, fixed cover that protects the valve assembly and provides access to gauging and valving on both sides of the cylinder.

Safety valve guards are the required replacements for the existing safety caps after cylinder upgrades are completed.

Safety valve guards must be properly installed on each cylinder. If a safety valve guard is damaged by the Contractor, it must be replaced with a functional guard at the Contractor’s expense. All damaged valve guards must be returned to NIST.

If the Contractor notes that a cylinder is received from NIST with a damaged safety yoke, the Contractor must notify NIST for a replacement yoke.

Safety valve guard replacement must be completed not later than 7 days from the date the call is placed.

vi. Valve Assembly Replacement

Valve assemblies (valves) must be replaced as needed. The Contractor must contact NIST for a replacement valve assembly if:

-The valve assembly is damaged or otherwise not functional; and/or

-The cylinder undergoes a change of service requiring a change in the

CGA valve.

Valves will meet required specifications identified in Section 4.4.

Valves will be provided to the Contractor as Government Furnished

Property. NIST will maintain an inventory of valves. The Contractor shall contact the Contracting Officer’s Representative to obtain the required number of valves. Valves shall be shipped to the Contractor at the Government’s expense.

If a valve is damaged by the Contractor, it must be replaced with a functional valve at the Contractor’s expense. All damaged valves must be returned to NIST at the Contractor’s expense.

Valve replacement must be completed not later than 14 days after the valve(s) is/are received from NIST.

The Contractor must return all removed valves to NIST with the completed cylinders.

The Contractor shall not use Government provided valves for any other purpose than NIST cylinders.

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.

PAGE 28 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

vii. Return of Non-Repairable Cylinders

The Contractor shall identify that any given cylinder is non-repairable. Identification shall be documented in the tracking system for cylinders that the Contractor believes are not repairable. NIST shall make the final determination and document that determination through the tracking system. The Contractor shall return non-repairable cylinders to NIST.

Valves and safety caps/valve guards shall be returned to NIST for each corresponding cylinder(s). Valves and safety caps/valve guards shall be labeled as serviceable or out of service.

The cylinder, valve, safety cap and/or safety valve guard shall be returned not later than 30 days after NIST’s final determination is made.

The cylinder number in the tracking system shall be retired. The tracking system shall identify the cylinder number as “retired”.

4.4 Cylinder Service Upgrades

NIST is required to fully meet or exceed the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) and OSHA guidance for the safe use and handling of bottled gases. The complete NIST bottle inventory must be retrofitted in accordance with these safety standards.

NIST’S total cylinder inventory currently numbers 750. At a minimum 500

Cylinders are currently suitable for retrofit. NIST intends to retrofit the the complete cylinder inventory.

NIST anticipates the following quantities being retrofitted during the following periods:

Base Period: Minimum quantity 200 cylinders;

Maximum quantity 300 cylinders;

Option Period I: Minimum quantity 100 cylinders;

Maximum quantity 150 cylinders;

Option Period II: Minimum quantity 75 cylinders;

Maximum quantity 100 cylinders;

Option Period III: Minimum quantity 75 cylinders;

Maximum quantity 100 cylinders;

Option Period IV: Minimum quantity 50 cylinders;

Maximum quantity 100 cylinders.

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.

i. Lettering and Stenciling.

Cylinders shall be clearly and legibly lettered and stenciled as follows:

-“NIST” shall be stenciled on the side of each cylinder in all capital letters. Letters must be a minimum height of 2”;

-United Nations (UN) markings must be stenciled on the side of each cylinder. Marking shall be in accordance with Department of

Transportation/Code of Federal Regulations 49.172.300.

Nomenclature must be a minimum height of 2”;

-The name of the gas must be stenciled on the side of each cylinder.

Letters must be minimum height of 2”;

PAGE 29 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

-A National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) hazard diamond, with the appropriate hazard levels filled in, must be affixed to each cylinder.

The hazard diamond must be affixed to the side of the cylinder. The hazard diamond must measure 3” x 3” at a minimum.

ii. Painting and Stripping

The stripping process must remove all paint down to the metal.

Painting shall include priming, painting the body and shoulder of the bottle, and touch up painting.

The body of each bottle shall be painted gray. The shoulder of each bottle shall be painted a different color based on the Contractor’s color coding system. Each gas must have a different color.

Paint shall be touched up, as needed, to minimize scratches.

Full cylinder stripping and painting must be completed not later than 30 days after call is placed.

iv. Cleaning including Hydrostatic Testing (as required)

Hydrostatic Pressure test bottle to ASTM pressure vessel testing requirements as required by CGA. This shall include de-valving, indenting new test date, drying the interior and setting new valves;

Dumped. All water should be emptied out of the cylinder;

Drop Light Visual Inspection. View the internal tank of the bottle to determine that there is not any corrosion or damage. If the cylinder is not safe for use, the Contractor shall document that finding in the tracking system and in a written report to NIST.

Dry with Hot Air. The bottle shall be dried with hot air and fit for the purpose of the intended gas.

Valve. A new valve shall be supplied by the Government and applied.

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

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.

v. Valve Replacement

The Contractor shall install new valves on each upgraded cylinder.

Valves shall be supplied by the Government as Government Furnished

Property. Valves will meet all of the following specifications:

-Integrated High Pressure Gauge to allow for monitoring of gas pressure in the cylinder;

-Cylinder pressure must be visible on the gauge without affixing a

PAGE 30 OF 73 SB1341-12-RP-0002

secondary regulator or gauge to the bottle;

-Must have a built-in flow restrictor that prevents rapid release in case the valve is accidentally opened or damaged;

-Must maintain a minimal residual pressure on bottle to insure quality of gas by avoiding the intrusion from atmospheric contaminants. For the purpose of this solicitation, “minimal” means 20-40 pounds per square inch gauge (PSIG);

-Gauge must be calibrated to manufacturer’s…