Dry Ice (CO2) Nuggets

This is a Sources Sought Notice announcement; market survey for information only, to be used for preliminary planning purposes. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this synopsis. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FROM THIS NOTICE. Any requests for a solicitation in response to this notice will not be honored. The Medical Readiness Contracting Office - West, Fort Hood, TX, has an upcoming requirement to solicit for and award a contract for a base and four (4) option period to provide 500 pounds of dry ice (CO2) nuggets delivery weekly on Thursday between the hours of 7:30 am and 4:00 pm to three (3) Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center facilities (CRDAMC): 

•    Robertson Blood Bank, Bldg#2250 761st Tank Battalion Avenue, Fort Hood, Texas  76544
•    CRDAMC, Bldg# 36065 Rm 42-415, Dept. Of Pathology, Second Floor Santa Fe Avenue, Fort Hood, Texas  76544
•    CRDAMC, Bldg  36045, Intersection of Wratten and Old Railhead Dr, Fort Hood, Texas  76544

Note: Distinct from regular ice, which exists at temperatures of 32F (0C) and below, dry ice is extremely cold, -109F (-79C). Unlike water ice, dry ice does not melt, instead, it sublimates (changes directly from solid to gas), releasing Carbon Dioxide (CO2). CO2 vapor is substantially heavier than air.

This request is anticipated to result in a Firm Fixed-Priced contract. The type of solicitation to issue will be based upon the responses to this synopsis. Contact with Government Personnel, other than the Purchasing Agent identified at the bottom of this notice, by any potential offeror, or their employees', regarding this requirement is strictly prohibited. 

The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities and qualifications of various members of the Small Business Community to include Section 8(a), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUB-Zone), Women-Owned Small Business, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), as well as the interest, capabilities and qualifications of various members of the Large Business community, to compete and perform a Firm Fixed Price Contract for these supplies. The type of solicitation to issue will depend upon the responses to this sources sought synopsis. The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of responsive contractors. 

The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 325120 - "Industrial Gas Manufacturing". The Small Business Size Standard is 1,000. 

Responses to this Sources Sought Notice should demonstrate the firm's ability, capability, and responsibility to deliver dry ice nuggets. In response to this notice, interested parties shall submit a written Statement of Capability limited up to 5 pages and shall include the following information: 

•    Offeror's name, address, point of contact, phone number, and e-mail address.
•    Offeror's interest in providing a proposal/quote on the solicitation when it is issued.
•    Offeror's capability to meet personnel requirements.
•    Offeror's capability to perform a contract of this magnitude and complexity (include offeror's in-house capability to provide the required dry ice nuggets -provide at least three (3) examples. Documentation of appropriate products must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary means to compete for this acquisition. 

• Offeror's type of small business and Business Size (Whether 8(a), HUB Zone, Women-Owned Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, etc.), or Large Business Status, should be documented in the Statement of Capability. 

Interested parties are responsible for marking information that is proprietary in nature. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this notice or any follow up information requests. The Government is not obligated to, nor will it, pay for or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this sources sought notice. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued. No subcontracting opportunity is anticipated. A determination by the Government to not compete this proposed contract action based on the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. 

Interested Offeror shall respond to this Sources Sought Notice no later than 7 April 2023 at 10:00 A.M. All interested businesses must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov to be eligible for award of Government contracts. Fax or email your response to Shenecqua Soares, Contract Specialist, email: shenecqua.n.soares.civ@health.mil. Telephonic inquiries will not be honored. EMAIL IS THE PREFERRED METHOD.