Bulk Liquid Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide Refill Services for the National Cancer Institute (NCI)

 THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT AND NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) requires uninterrupted refill and delivery services for bulk liquid nitrogen (LN₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) used in support of laboratory and research operations at its Bethesda, Maryland facilities. These gases are essential to ongoing scientific activities. Liquid nitrogen is required for applications that may include cryogenic storage and preservation of biological materials, specimens, cells, and other research materials. Carbon dioxide is required for laboratory applications that may include the operation of incubators and other research equipment. The requirement includes the delivery and replenishment of bulk gases into the existing storage systems serving NCI laboratories, together with the associated services necessary to maintain a reliable supply.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).  POP: 10/15/2026 - 10/14/2027

The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, transportation, supplies, technical support, and other resources necessary to provide a safe, reliable, and uninterrupted supply of the required gases. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs

NCI proposes acquiring these services from Roberts Oxygen Company, Inc.

Roberts Oxygen currently provides [LN₂ and CO₂/bulk gas] refill services to the NCI Bethesda facilities and is familiar with the existing bulk storage equipment, delivery locations, site-access requirements, delivery procedures, and operational needs associated with these systems. Roberts Oxygen is the only source reasonably available to meet NCI's immediate requirement without unacceptable disruption and risk to ongoing laboratory operations.

The bulk LN₂ and CO₂ supply supports research activities that require a dependable and continuous source of gas. An interruption in supply could adversely affect laboratory operations and, depending on the affected equipment and duration of the interruption, could place temperature-sensitive or environmentally controlled research materials at risk.

The existing bulk-gas infrastructure at the NCI Bethesda location is currently configured for and serviced by Roberts Oxygen. Transitioning this requirement to another supplier would require NCI to determine the compatibility of the alternate supplier's equipment and delivery methods with the existing system and could require equipment changes, tank replacement or exchange, inspections, coordination of installation and removal activities, site preparation, safety reviews, and/or temporary service arrangements.

Such a transition could create a period during which reliable gas service cannot be assured. Because LN₂ and CO₂ support ongoing laboratory operations, NCI

cannot accept an interruption or degradation in service while a new supplier mobilizes, installs or exchanges equipment, and establishes delivery service.

Roberts Oxygen also has established knowledge of the NCI Bethesda delivery environment, including [security/access procedures, loading and delivery locations, existing tanks and connections, required delivery frequencies, emergency delivery procedures, or other applicable conditions]. Continued use of the incumbent provider avoids unnecessary transition risk and permits NCI to maintain uninterrupted gas availability.

Accordingly, changing suppliers for the present requirement would create unacceptable operational risk and could result in additional transition costs and delays that would not be in the Government's best interest.

1. Only one award will be made as a result of this notice. This will be awarded as a firm-fixed price purchase order.  

This will be the only notice of the Government's intent to solicit, negotiate, and award to one source to satisfy this requirement. The Government plans to award a contract for this requirement within 7 days of this notice.  

The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 (b)(1)(i) only one source available, no substitutions possible. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS. All responsible sources who can provide the service should submit a capability statement via email to Linda Smith at Linda.Smith2@nih.gov by 5:00 Pm EST on August 28, 2026. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Any responses received by NIH after this date and exact time specified are late and will not be considered.  

This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for any information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that it’s sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. 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.  

For additional information or to submit responses, please contact Linda Smith, Contracting Officer at Linda.smith2@nih.gov. Or Jessica Emerson at Jessica.emerson@nih.gov