Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Helium Refrigerator

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES.

Helium Refrigerator

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Glenn Research Center (GRC) intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price sole source contract under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 – Only One Responsible Source to:

LINDE ENGINEERING NORTH AMERICA LLC

1585 Sawdust Road, Suite 300

The Woodlands, Texas 77380

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 541330 with a size standard of $25.5M. 

The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.

NASA GRC has a requirement to purchase a new helium refrigerator to support testing and operations in the Electric Propulsion Laboratory (EPL). The EPL’s two large vacuum chambers have cryogenic vacuum pumps that use Linde RS/RSX helium compressors and a Linde helium refrigerator 1420. The Linde 1420 at the EPL is 50 years old and is near the end of its lifecycle as a unit. The EPL is seeking to replace their Linde 1420 with a Linde 1620 but retain the Linde 1420 as a potential back-up helium refrigerator (until its lifecycle is complete) or to use for replacement parts for other Linde units located at GRC.

NASA intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire a Linde 1620 from Linde Engineering North America LLC to replace the Linde 1420 at EPL for the reasons below:

• Interchangeable Parts / Back-Up Unit.  NASA currently has three Linde helium refrigerators located at GRC. A Linde 1420 at EPL, a Linde 1620 at Vacuum Facility 5 (VF-5), and a Linde 1420 at Vacuum Facility 12 (VF-12). By replacing the EPL’s Linde 1420 with a Linde 1620, EPL’s current Linde 1420 will serve as a universal back-up and parts source for the EPL, VF-5, and VF-12 units. Additionally, the EPL and VF units can still be cross-swapped if needed to support priority testing or operations.
• Reduced Repair Times.  The interchangeable parts between the Linde 1420 and 1620 will reduce downtime during testing and operations when replacement parts are required. Procurement cycle lead times for new parts are estimated at up eighteen months, while substituting the old Linde 1420 or using parts from the old Linde 1420 can be completed in weeks. 
• Cost Savings.  Procuring another Linde unit for the EPL will minimize costs because replacement parts can be used from the old unit, eliminating the need to purchase new parts. Another manufacturer’s helium refrigerator would require the purchase of replacement parts for that specific unit.
• Operator Familiarity.  Operators and facilities workers are already familiar with the installation, repair, and maintenance of the Linde helium refrigerators.

This notice does not constitute a solicitation. However, if any interested party believes they can meet the above requirement it may submit a capabilities statement. The capabilities statement must be submitted via email in either Word or PDF, and must contain clear and convincing evidence that competition for this requirement would be advantageous to the Government. If parties choose to respond, any cost associated with preparation and submission of data or any other cost incurred in response to this announcement are the sole responsibility of the respondent and will not be reimbursed by the Government.

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities statements to perform the effort electronically via email to John Christel at john.a.christel@nasa.gov no later than 1:00 pm EDT on July 26, 2024. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf