Lease of a liquid oxygen tank & oxygen

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is seeking a qualified vendor to lease a liquid oxygen tank and provide oxygen supply for their salmonid production facility located in Mountain Rest, Oconee County. The procurement involves leasing a 3,000-gallon vertical cryogenic liquid oxygen storage tank with associated vaporization and pressure regulation equipment, along with liquid oxygen delivery services. The contract will span five years, from 10/17/2025 to 10/16/2030, with potential for four annual automatic renewals. The estimated total liquid oxygen requirement is 200,000 US gallons, with deliveries to be made on an as-needed basis within 24 hours of a shipment request during normal business hours. Bidders must submit proposals by 10/14/2025 at 10:00 am EST, with questions accepted until 9/25/2025 at 12:00 noon EST. The bidding includes three line items: liquid oxygen delivery unit price, monthly tank lease rate, and a one-time installation cost. Technical requirements specify a tank with a maximum allowable working pressure of 250 psig and compatibility with the facility's oxygen consumption rate of 400,000 SCF per month.

Vendors must be registered with the South Carolina Enterprise Information System (SCEIS) and provide comprehensive account management with a local account manager. The contractor will be responsible for tank installation at a pre-prepared location at the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery, covering all installation costs, routine maintenance, and repairs. While no specific set-aside designations were mentioned, the solicitation implies a competitive bidding process open to qualified vendors who can meet the technical and operational requirements. The tank must be installed and operational at the specified location, with the contractor ensuring compliance with all technical specifications. Although a specific budget range was not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the contract—including tank lease, installation, and ongoing oxygen delivery—suggests a significant multi-year investment. The procurement appears focused on securing a reliable, long-term oxygen supply solution for the state's fish hatchery operations, with emphasis on vendor capability, technical compliance, and consistent service delivery.