Laboratory Gases NOI

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE PUBLISHED.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) intends to negotiate a sole source, blanket purchase agreement (BPA) contract with Airgas USA LLC, 6055 Rockside Woods Blvd. N Ste. 500, Independence, OH 44131 for the purpose of acquiring specialty laboratory gases.  The procurement is being conducted under FAR Parts 12 and 13.

The FBI’s Laboratory Division has a requirement for specialty gases to support its forensic science operations at the Laboratory.  Specialized gases are used to operate scientific instruments and perform examinations in many Laboratory Division disciplines, including Chemistry, Explosives, Trace Evidence, Counterterrorism Forensic Science Research, DNA, Chem-Bio-Rad-Nuclear Sciences, and Firearms and Toolmarks.  A single type of gas can be used for multiple functions and a single instrument can use multiple types of gases.  Some of those gases include Acetylene, air ultra-pure carrier, argon (high pressure, liquid, and ultra-high purity), isobutene, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide (research grade), compressed air, helium (high purity and ultra-high purity), hydrogen (research grade), methane (ultra-high purity), nitrogen (gas, liquid, and ultra-high purity), oxygen, and propane.  Gases must be available for routine delivery on a weekly basis and in the even of an emergency, delivery is required within 24 hours.  Delivery must occur between the hours of 7:00am and 5:00pm EST, twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays.  The required gases must be supplied in built-in purifier (BIP) cylinders to eliminate the need to purchase higher grades of gas or additional equipment (separate purifiers).

Based on market research and Government end users, it has been determined that Airgas USA LLC is the sole vendor with patented BIP cylinders; therefore, they are the only vendor capable of providing the required laboratory gases.

This notice will be distributed solely through the General Services Administration’s beta.SAM.gov website (www.beta.SAM.gov).  Interested parties are responsible for monitoring the beta.SAM site to ensure they have the most up-to-date information about this acquisition.  The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 325120 – Industrial Gas Manufacturing; the size standard is 1,000 employees.

The Government intends to negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1.  This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties may identify their interests and capability to respond to this requirement by contacting Travis Haefler via email only at thaefler@fbi.gov, no later than 1:00pm (Central) on Friday, 7 July 2024.  Responses sent via other means (i.e. via telephone call, facsimile transmission, etc.) will not be considered.  Information received will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement.  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is at the discretion of the Government.

Vendors must be registered in SAM, effective July 29, 2012, to receive government contracts.  The FBI utilizes a financial system that has a direct interface with SAM.  Please ensure that your company’s SAM information is updated and accurate.  This includes:  TIN, EFT, DUNs, addresses, and contact information.  The EFT banking information on file in SAM will be what the FBI uses to process payment to your organization.

*Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition is available upon request*