Sources_Sought_Notice_75N95023Q00048.pdf

PRESOLICITATION NOTICE

75N95023Q00048

PROCUREMENT TITLE: Bulk Helium Requirement Classification Code: 6830 NAICS Code: 325120 Size Standard: 1000 Employees

This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement, to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

Small businesses are encouraged to respond.

For equipment/supply requirements, responses must include the place of manufacturing (i.e.

address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture).

For equipment/supply requirements, small businesses must also address the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code (i.e. address Non-Manufacturer Rule).

Statement of Need and Purpose:

The government has a requirement for bulk liquid helium to supply the 11.7T human MRI scanner located in the Advanced MRI Section of the NINDS Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging for the cool down, initial start-up and testing of the 11.7T human MRI scanner during a 12-week period.

Background Information and Objective:

The Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging is home to an ultra-high magnetic field 11.7T human MRI scanner, one of the highest field magnets with such a large bore in the world. This purchase is part of a multi-million-dollar project to install the strongest magnet built to date for human MRI at the NIH. The helium is needed to cool down and fill the magnet after re-installation. The magnet schedule is subject to change and requires the contractor’s capability and flexibility to deliver successfully. The start of the 12-week liquid Helium delivery for the equipment start-up is estimated to be Spring 2023. The schedule will be more firmly determined.

Generic Name of Product: Liquid Helium

Purchase Description: BULK HELIUM REQUIREMENT

Specific Requirements:

Salient Characteristics:

• Liquid helium is liquefied gas and presents a cryogenic burn risk (frostbite). Dewars should be MRI compatible (i.e. non-magnetic). Dewar should also have electric pressure builder.

• The contractor shall provide quantities of liquid helium as described in the Other Requirements section below.

• Dewar’s of this gas shall be handled by trained and certified personnel.

• The Dewars shall be stored outdoors in a well ventilated area.

• Required delivery lead time is 7 days after receipt of order and 24 hours after receipt of emergency orders.

• Delivery shall include all hazardous material handling charges and all energy and fuel charges.

• The loading dock as specified in the delivery/pick-up address section is of substandard height. The Contractor shall deliver the Dewars with a liftgate truck.

• Empty Dewars shall be promptly removed, within 72 hours after notice, or with the next delivery.

• The loading dock as specified in the delivery/pick-up address section is of substandard height. The Contractor shall deliver the Dewars with a liftgate truck.

• Delivery in 500-liter capacity size Dewars is preferred, 250 liter or 350 liter Dewars will be acceptable.

Other Requirements:

NINDS is anticipating awarding a 12-month Fixed price purchase order for the delivery of the bulk helium.

Due to the nation-wide helium shortage, communications with the Contractor and the NIH is essential for ensuring delivery of the quantities specified for the 12-week start-up during the base year.

Anticipated Quantity Requirements:

• Maximum 35,000 Liters

Anticipated Period of Performance:

Base Period: 12 Months

Delivery Requirements:

Address:

National Institutes of Health Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging, NINDS, NIH Bldg 10 -- Clinical Center, NMR Research Center B1 NMR Loading Dock, NMR Research Center 10 Center Drive Bethesda, MD. 20892

Tanks shall be delivered and picked up at the following location:

National Institutes of Health Building 10, B1NMR loading dock, 10 Center Drive Bethesda, MD 20892

Anticipated Delivery Schedule and quantity requirements:

week Quantity (in liters) 1 10000 2 10000 3 3000 4 0 5 0 6 0 7 2000 8 2000 9 2000 10 2000 11 2000 12 2000 Total: 35000

The finalized delivery schedule and quantities will be agreed to between the Government and selected vendor after award of contract.

Capability statement /information sought:

Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required products or services should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the project requirements separately. Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts and/or other government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Capability statements must also include the Company Name, Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

Interested companies are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Arun Mathur, at arun.mathur@nih.gov .

The response must be received on or before 12/29/2022, 12:00 PM, Eastern Time.

mailto:arun.mathur@nih.gov