Cryocooler for VF-15 AL230 Cryocooler

NASA's Shared Services Center (NSSC) has published a Special Notice for the procurement of a Cryocooler for VF-15 AL230 Cryocooler, intended for performance at NASA Glenn Research Center. The agency intends to issue a sole source contract to BLUEFORS CRYOCOOLER TECHNOLOGIES INC. of Syracuse, New York, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). NASA has determined that Bluefors is the sole provider of this specific cryocooler technology required for the VF-15 vessel. The procurement will utilize commercial item procedures under FAR Part 12 and Part 13, with NAICS code 333415 for air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment manufacturing. The technical specifications require a cryocooler with base temperature below 20 K, heat lift capabilities exceeding 20 W at 20 K and 40 W at 30 K, vertical orientation, air-cooled compressor system, and 208 V, 3 Phase, 60 Hz power supply.

The purpose of this Special Notice is to inform the contracting community of NASA's intent to proceed with a sole source procurement while providing an opportunity for other qualified vendors to demonstrate their capabilities. Interested organizations must submit their capabilities and qualifications in writing to Procurement Specialist Laura Quave at laura.a.quave@nasa.gov by 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on August 25, 2025. These submissions will be evaluated solely to determine whether the procurement should be conducted on a competitive basis rather than sole source. All communications must be in writing, as oral communications are not acceptable responses to this notice. The government retains full discretion in determining whether to proceed with competitive procurement based on the responses received, and any organization with relevant capabilities in cryocooler technology manufacturing may submit their qualifications for consideration.