Replacement of Liquid Nitrogen Pipe at NIST Charleston

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking a contractor to replace approximately 50 meters of deteriorated liquid nitrogen vacuum-insulated piping (LN2 VIP) system at their Charleston facility. The project involves removing the existing exterior Chart MVE Liquid Nitrogen piping system located in the crawl space under the Hollings Marine Laboratory and installing a new system that connects to the NIST bulk tank and interior piping. The contractor must provide comprehensive safety plans, follow strict safety protocols, perform vacuum testing, and ensure proper functioning of the liquid nitrogen delivery system. The contract will be awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis with specific requirements for contractor qualifications, site access, and performance testing. The solicitation was issued on July 14, 2025, with offers due by August 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM MT, though the posted opportunity notice indicates an August 1, 2025 deadline.

This procurement is set aside for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) enterprises, indicating NIST's commitment to supporting diverse contractors in this specialized industrial piping work. The contractor will have 120 calendar days after safety plan approval to complete the entire replacement project. The work will be performed at the NIST Charleston facility in Charleston, South Carolina, specifically at the Hollings Marine Laboratory where the deteriorated piping system is located in the building's crawl space. The project falls under the NAICS code 423490 for Other Professional Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers and the PSC code N066 for Installation of Equipment-Instruments and Laboratory Equipment. No incumbent contractor or specific award value information is provided in the solicitation documentation.