Industrial Cylinder Gases

The State of Maine, Division of Purchases, is seeking bids on industrial cylinder gases to supply all state agencies under a Master Agreement, with bids due April 28, 2009. Award will be determined by overall best value, considering bid conformity, statewide delivery capability, pricing, product availability, training and safety, 24-hour emergency delivery capability, and customer service.

The scope covers acetylene, argon, argon/CO2 blends, dry air, carbon dioxide (siphon grade liquid), liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, compressed nitrogen, compressed oxygen, liquefied petroleum gas variants including forklift fuel, high-purity propylene, and custom gas blends, with orders generated on an as-needed basis through the state's AdvantageME system or procurement card. Cylinder sizes span B, MC, 3, 4, 5, WQ, T, M, S, J, K, H, and 20 designations, with liquid cylinders available for rent or lease on monthly or annual terms. Vendors must conduct on-site visits with major account holders at least monthly; small and infrequent users will be contacted via telephone or email. The contract includes mandatory 24-hour emergency service availability, statewide delivery to all state agencies, free safety training on demand, regular cylinder testing with certificates provided upon request, and consent to modifications of gas types and quantities as state agency equipment changes. Pre-award site visits of the vendor's production facility are required. Vendors may utilize subcontractors for deliveries with subcontractor identification required at award.

The estimated contract value is $20,000 or more, dependent on actual state orders. The contract period runs approximately May 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010, with optional extensions for up to two additional periods at the Director of Purchases' discretion with contractor consent. Pricing must remain firm throughout the contract duration; price reductions may be implemented anytime and apply to all subsequent shipments. All transportation charges are included on an F.O.B. destination basis, except vendors may charge delivery and service fees for emergency deliveries outside normal business hours. No hazardous material charges, federal excise taxes, or state sales taxes will be assessed to the state. Vendors must accept the State of Maine Procurement Card as payment with no surcharges permitted. Bidders must complete a standardized spreadsheet with pricing information; columns F, G, H, and I are prefilled and cannot be modified.