Laboratory Gas Tank Rental and Gases

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting a market survey to assess the availability and potential technical capability of small businesses as defined by NAICS code 325120 to provide Laboratory Gas Tank Rental and Gases.

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Northeast Food and Feed Laboratory (NFFL) needs gas tank rentals and gases. Gas tank rentals are associated with the delivery of laboratory gases supplied by the vendor for consumption by the NFFL.  Laboratory gases are essential to the operation of most laboratory instrumentation. Some instruments require highly purified inert gases (such as helium or argon) as carriers to move the analyte of interest through the system. Other instruments use gases as fuel (such as hydrogen or acetylene) or oxidizers (such as air) to vaporize the analyte of interest. Liquid nitrogen is used to cool instruments and/or analytes during analysis. At times, specialty gas mixtures are used as standards for the calibration of analytical instrumentation. A modern analytical laboratory cannot function without a reliable supply of laboratory gases.

Minimum Technical Requirements:  

• Contractor shall provide delivery of the gases below in 48 hours or less 90% of the time or better.  In emergency situations the Contractor may be required to provide same day delivery.

• Capable of supplying a wide range of laboratory gases, including, but not limited to:
  • Liquid Nitrogen
  • Liquid Argon
  • Nitrogen (commercial grade, pre-purified and ultra-high purity)
  • Helium (high purity, ultra high purity and ultra-carrier grade)
  • Hydrogen (pre-purified and ultra-high purity)
  • Air (zero grade)
  • Argon (pre-purified)
  • Carbon Dioxide (bone dry) with and without syphon
  • Custom Specialty Gas Mixtures

• Laboratory gases will be purchased on an as needed basis. The end user will place orders for the gases as required.
• High pressure cylinders are usually size 300; dewars for liquid nitrogen and argon are either 180L or 240L.
• Offers safe gas handling training to laboratory personnel when requested at no cost to the government.  Training estimated at no more than twice per year.
• Delivery of tanks shall occur Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 4:30pm.

RequiredGases/CylinderSizes

Liquid Nitrogen, 240LT

Liquid Argon, 180LT

Nitrogen, Commercial Grade Size 300

Nitrogen Pre-purified Grade Size 300

Nitrogen, Ultra High Purity Size 300

Hydrogen Pre-purified Grade Size 300

Hydrogen, Ultra High Purity Size 300

Argon, Pre-purified Grade Size 300

Argon Ultra High Purity Size 300

Helium, High Purity Size 300

Helium Ultra High Purity Size 300

Helium, Ultra Carrier Grade Size 300

Air, Zero Grade Size 300

Carbon Dioxide, 70 lbs w/Dip Tube

Methane, Research Grade Size 200

RequiredServices

Cylinder Rentals Size 300

Dewar Rentals 160/180LT

Dewar Rentals 230/240LT

Deliverables

 Liquid Nitrogen, 240LT - Roughly 1 tank per month

 Liquid Argon, 180LT - Roughly 8 tanks per month

Helium, Ultra Carrier Grade Size 300 - Roughly 8 tanks per month

Additional Gases - The remaining gases are typically ordered at a rate of 0-5 tanks year.

Inspection and Acceptance

The gas tank user will monitor gases and tanks provided and will report unacceptable product to the Contractor.  Tank quality issues are often not apparent upon receipt but only at the point at which the tank is actively being used.

The Government will accept goods, reports and services only if they conform to all terms and conditions of the SOW, and satisfy the performance standards developed under this SOW.

Shipping Destination

Food and Drug Administration,

Northeast Food and Feed Laboratory

158-15 Liberty Avenue

Jamaica, NY 11433-1034

The delivery or services must be during regular business hours (Monday-Friday) during the times of 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, excluding holidays.

Period of Performance

The Period of Performance is as follows:

Base Period    –  June 5, 2020 – June 4, 2021

Option Year 1 – June 5, 2021 – June 4, 2022

Option Year 2 – June 5, 2022 – June 4, 2023

Option Year 3 – June 5, 2023 – June 4, 2024

Option Year 4 – June 5, 2024 – June 4, 2025

The information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Respondents shall specify and document that their NAICS code is 325120 and provide proof of their business size.