Purchase of Vacuum Glove Box for ICEE Laboratory at NASA Ames Research Center

NASA's Shared Services Center is seeking to procure a vacuum glove box for the In situ Carbon Evolution Experiments (ICEE) facility at NASA Ames Research Center. The specialized equipment is required to handle and store air-sensitive scientific samples from astrophysics, astrobiology, planetary science, and exobiology research, particularly samples that have been irradiated in an ultra-high vacuum chamber. The vacuum glove box must be constructed of stainless steel with specific dimensional constraints (no larger than 52" x 27" x 28"), and include a transit box for sample transfer, vacuum control unit, oilless vacuum pump, internal power strip, and steel stand with casters. The government will evaluate offers using a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) methodology, selecting the responsible offeror with the lowest conforming quote that meets all technical requirements. The original quote submission deadline was June 13, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. CT, though the overall solicitation due date extends to June 18, 2025.

This procurement is designated as a total small business set-aside, restricting participation to qualified small business concerns registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). The total contract value cannot exceed $11,932.13, with market research identifying Global Lab Supply as the only vendor within the project's budget at exactly $11,932.13. The period of performance for this procurement is four months from contract award. The equipment will be delivered to and used at NASA Ames Research Center, where it will preserve scientific samples under controlled conditions by maintaining negative pressure and minimizing the use of purge gases like argon or nitrogen. Dr. Andrew Mattioda serves as the NASA point of contact for this procurement, with Karen A. Rodriguez from Global Lab Supply identified as the potential vendor contact.