Argon IDIQ

Sources Sought Notice: Argon IDIQ

Sources Sought #1126112-SS

This is a Sources Sought notice Only.  This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations.  This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ.

Background

The Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit in University Park, PA has a need to require recurring purchases of Liquid Argon, as well as other gas cylinders.

Requirements

The following is the anticipated need through the ordering periods. Specific requirements will be identified on issued orders:

1.         Must be able to deliver bulk refrigerated argon (1000-1500 liters) to bulk tank onsite when tank is at 25% or lower capacity.          

2.         Must be able to have access to telemetry to tell when tank level is sufficiently low enough to signal a refill is due

3.         Must be able to deliver standard cylinder gases and collect empty cylinders to and from facility gas farm on monthly or occasional schedule.

4. Must be able to supply compressed gas in the common size tanks and refill liquid nitrogen. Compressed gases include Nitrogen, Helium, Oxygen, Argon, and Hydrogen. All compressed gases will be at purity of 99.999%.

All gas cylinders are customer owned and only gases in new cylinders are paid for, full gas cylinders are exchanged with empty ones. The bulk tank for argon is rented. Rental charges and telemetry fees are billed out monthly.

The Contractor Shall:

This Sources Sought is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of USDA ARS market research. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government.

Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.  

The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources including any Small Businesses; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small business; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; or small disadvantaged businesses. Please state if you are a large business or a small business according to the NAICS code listed in this Sources Sought.

All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.

Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response defines how it can specifically meet the specifications for the items requested.  Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.  After review of the responses received, a Combined Synopsis solicitation notice may be published on Sam.gov.

Submit the Following:

• Capability Statement that demonstrates your ability to meet the specific requirements, including Company Contact Info
• SAM.gov UEI Number
• Identify if you are a large business or a small business with NACIS 325120.

Original Point of Contact: All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received by May 20, 2024, by 2:00 PM EST, the specified due date and time to be considered. 

Email responses to Jennifer Peterson at Jennifer.L.Peterson@usda.gov.

Responses will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry.

Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request.