Purchase of liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide for use in research laboratories

The Food and Drug Administration's Office of Acquisition and Grant Services has issued a Special Notice announcing their intent to award an 8(a) sole source contract for the purchase of liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide for research laboratories. The contract is intended for Roberts Oxygen Co Inc. in Derwood, MD, under FAR Part 6.302-1 provisions that allow sole source procurement when only one responsible source can satisfy agency requirements. The gases will support critical research operations at the Division of Applied Regulatory Science (DARS) within the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). DARS operates six laboratories that conduct mission-critical research supporting drug application reviews, translational science, and emerging public health issues. The liquid nitrogen is essential for operating dewars that store valuable biological samples, while carbon dioxide maintains critical cell culture incubator equipment.

The primary objective of this procurement is to ensure continuous supply of operational gases essential for ongoing research projects supporting BsUFA, GDUFA, PDUFA, and opioid research initiatives across multiple scientific disciplines including immunology, bioanalytics, proteomics, and pharmacokinetics. The contract requires delivery of three liquid nitrogen vessels (160L and 240L) with digital gauges every two weeks and five carbon dioxide cylinders every three months, with a guaranteed one-hour delivery window to the FDA facility at 10903 New Hampshire Ave. Interested contractors must submit capability statements by September 12, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST to demonstrate their ability to meet the contract requirements. The FDA anticipates awarding the contract within five days of the notice unless another organization can prove its capability to fulfill the requirements. The performance period spans 12 months from the award date, ensuring continuous support for DARS's regulatory science research that directly impacts drug safety and efficacy evaluations.