Amendment_003.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 CHANGE ORDER IS 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

Attachment Page

PAGE 2 OF 3 SB134117RQ0239003

1. The following questions and responses are hereby provided:

QUESTION #1: Are you able to provide the current price you are paying for nitrogen requirement?

RESPONSE #1: The current Contractor for the supply of liquid nitrogen to NIST

Gaithersburg and NIST Charleston was identified in Amendment 001. NIST defers to the Contractor to release price information.

QUESTION #2: Pursuant SB134117RQ0239, Statement of Work section 1, Part 10, the basis of the specification seems to be a cylinder gas specification as opposed to a bulk gas specification. As a result, some of the requirements will greatly increase the testing requirements and greatly decrease the number of air separation plants that can supply the product. The low impurity levels requested are often achieved in cylinder gases through the fill process which includes evacuation of the cylinder and cylinder baking. While these levels can be achieved at a select number of plants, the current specification will greatly increase cost per delivery and reduce the number of backup plants that can be used.

Given this, I have the following questions regarding the Statement of Work section 1, Part 10. The Grade 5.4 and associated impurity levels is not a standard specification for bulk nitrogen. Was the grade defined by a specific manufacturer? Testing for straight H2 in nitrogen is not a standard test in bulk. Due to the molecular weight and boiling point, any traces of hydrogen are lost in the vent stack of the delivery truck. This requirement will require a COA for every load and limit number of plants that can supply as many plants do not have capacity for the test. Does NIST want this test for every load?

RESPONSE #2: Section 10 defines the required specifications for liquid nitrogen based upon NIST’s minimum needs. The Contractor is required to meet all requirements of the statement of work. The methodology used to meet these requirements requires business decisions on the part of the Contractor. The statement of work requires certificates of analysis for two sites. The

Government’s requirement for certificates of analysis remains unchanged.

QUESTION 3: The water requirement of .5 ppm is below the standard 1ppm out of most plants. Once again, the .5 ppm requirement will require a COA for every load and limit the number of plants that can supply. Since this test is done as the truck is leaving the plant, such a low level could impact delivery reliability. Does NIST require the .5 ppm?

RESPONSE #3: Reference response #2.

QUESTION #4: PARTICLES #3. This is normally a filter size that is agreed upon by the customer and plant. Can you provide additional information on the particle size and type.

RESPONSE #4: The requirement for Particle #3 is hereby deleted in its entirety from the

Statement of work.

Attachment Page

PAGE 3 OF 3 SB134117RQ0239003

2. Pursuant to response #4, the following change is hereby incorporated and made a part of the Statement of Work:

Paragraph 10, Required specifications for Liquid Nitrogen are hereby amended as follows:

DELETE:

Required Specifications for Liquid Nitrogen

GRADE: 5.4

PURITY: 99.9994%

CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2): 0.5 PPM

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO): 2 PPM

HYDROGEN (H2): 2 PPM

OXYGEN (O2): 0.5 PPM

WATER (H2O)(PPMV): 0.5 PPM

TOTAL HYDROCARBONS - 0.5 PPM

EXPRESSED AS METHANE

(THC)

TOTAL SPECIFIED IMPURITIES 6 PPM

PARTICLES #3

ADD:

Required Specifications for Liquid Nitrogen

GRADE: 5.4

PURITY: 99.9994%

CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2): 0.5 PPM

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO): 2 PPM

HYDROGEN (H2): 2 PPM

OXYGEN (O2): 0.5 PPM

WATER (H2O)(PPMV): 0.5 PPM

TOTAL HYDROCARBONS - 0.5 PPM

EXPRESSED AS METHANE

(THC)

TOTAL SPECIFIED IMPURITIES 6 PPM

3. The due date for quotations is hereby changed as follows:

DELETE: April 13, 2017 at 3:30 PM Eastern Time

ADD: April 18, 2017 at 3:30 PM Eastern Time.

Descript: The above referenced solicitation is hereby amended to respond to technical questions submitted, incorporate a change to the statement of work and extend the due date for quotations.

Reference the attached pages for amendment details.

100 BUREAU DRIVE STOP 1640

BUILDING 301 ROOM B129

GAITHERSBURG MD 20899-1640