TGP-2025-33-Helium Recovery and Reliquefaction System .pdf

SSN # TGP-2025-33- Helium Recovery and Reliquefaction System Page 1

October 27, 2025

SOLE SOURCE NOTIFICATION (SSN) -TGP-2025-33

Proposed Sole Source Purchase for Helium Recovery and Reliquefaction System

The University of Wyoming (the University) intends to issue a sole source purchase order to Bluefors for a Helium Recovery and Reliquefaction System. Any purchase order resulting from this proposed sole source will be governed by the University of Wyoming’s Terms and Conditions.

Wyoming has historically suffered from an unreliable and expensive liquid helium supply, due to its geographic isolation. Recently, the Department of Physics & Astronomy (led by Prof. TeYu Chien) has taken steps to permanently remedy this situation, by applying for – and winning – an NSF Major Research Infrastructure award. This grant supports the acquisition and commissioning of a 55+ liter/day helium recovery/purification/reliquefaction system, to be installed in the basement of the Physical Sciences (PS) building. The reliquefier will collect and reliquefy evaporated helium gas from all participating cryogenic laboratories in the PS building, providing a reliable and cost-effective supply of liquid helium for the entire University of Wyoming (UW).

Since the reliquefier will be predominantly operated by research-active graduate students, the recovery network design and the reliquefier specifications have been carefully optimized to ensure that the entire system functions reliably with minimal user intervention. Several characteristics were deemed essential to establish a system which would be resilient to inexperienced operators and require as little routine maintenance as possible.

The Bluefors Cryomech LHeP55 Liquid Helium Plant and Recovery System was identified as the only solution on the market capable of fulfilling all the three key specifications detailed below:

1) Firstly, a larger-than-usual helium collection bag has been specified to ensure that over-enthusiastic helium transfers will not overload the recovery network. This oversized bag is paired with two high-speed 400psi compressors for intermediate storage of dirty helium, thus guaranteeing that the recovery system will remain fully operational (with zero helium loss) even during routine compressor maintenance.

2) Secondly, the helium is cleaned by a cryocooled autopurifier prior to reliquefaction, rather than the usual liquid nitrogen trap. The lower purifier temperature (30K vs. 77K) will provide a higher helium purity level for all laboratory end-users, as well as eliminating time-consuming weekly nitrogen transfers for the system operators.

3) Thirdly, the chosen autopurifier and helium reliquefier are both refrigerated using pulse tube cryocoolers, rather than the usual Gifford-McMahon (GM) technology. Unlike GM coolers (which require annual servicing), pulse tubes typically only need to be overhauled once every 5 years. This significant increase in service interval will maximize the recovery system uptime, while also

SSN # TGP-2025-33- Helium Recovery and Reliquefaction System Page 2 allowing the UW graduate students who run the reliquefier to spend more time on research and less time on tedious maintenance tasks.

Any interested party that believes it can comprehensively provide a comparable product as noted above, shall submit a Statement of Capabilities in sufficient detail to determine if the specifications can be met.

University of Wyoming will only accept or consider electronic submissions received in BidNet’s electronic solicitation portal on or before 2:00 PM (MT) on November 3rd, 2025. Submissions received after this date and time or received outside of the BidNet portal may not be considered. The University shall be the sole judge in reviewing responses with regards to quality, performance, and price.

This notice is issued for informational purposes only and is NOT a request for competitive quotes or proposals. Information received will be considered to determine whether to conduct a competitive solicitation. A determination to not compete this proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the University.

Any restrictions on the use or inspection of material contained within the statement of capabilities shall be clearly stated in the document itself. The Supplier must state specifically what elements of the statement of capabilities are to be considered confidential/proprietary. Confidential/proprietary information must be readily identified, marked, and separately packaged from the rest of the response. Co-mingling of confidential/proprietary and other information is NOT acceptable. Procurement Services will make a written determination as to the apparent validity of any request for confidentiality. The written decision of Procurement Services will be sent to the Supplier as required.

**Please find more information about doing business with the University here:

How to Do Business with the University of Wyoming https://www.uwyo.edu/procurement/_files/docs/how-to-do-business-with-uw-april-2025.pdf