Liquid Helium Supply

2026-11-03

This is a combined synopsis / solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12 . 6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice . This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued . This solicitation number is 75N94026Q00040 and is issued as a Request for Quotation ( RFQ ). The solicitation / contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025 - 06 . The North American Industry Classification ( NAICS ) Code is 325120 and the business size standard is 1200e . This solicitation is not set aside for small business . This acquisition is being conducted using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13 . BackgroundTo support the research goals of the labs within the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases ( NIDDK ), a reliable supply of clean liquid helium is needed in order to keep nuclear magnetic resonance ( NMR ) superconducting magnets cool , and thus operational for NMR research . Liquid helium is used to cool NMR superconducting magnets and also for low - temperature experiments in several laboratories within NIDDK at the main campus of the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ), in Bethesda , MD 20892 . Liquid helium has several unique properties , including an extremely low boiling point and non - reactivity , so it cannot be replaced by other liquified gases . These labs purchase approximately 5 , 620 liters of liquid helium per year . ObjectiveThe objective of this requirement is to acquire and supply liquid helium to several laboratories within NIDDK , in 60 -& 100 - liter dewars . Scope of Work / Contractor RequirementsThe vendor shall deliver liquid helium to the laboratories , in 60 - & 100 - liter vendor - owned dewars . Delivery of liquid helium clean enough to not clog in NMR magnets or transfer lines , dewars that can be safely used around the magnets , and ensure that sufficient helium is delivered in a dewar for successful magnet fills and experiments ( dewars are not delivered with insufficient amount or boil off too rapidly ). In addition , some of the liquid helium is used for low - temperature NMR & MRI research . Task Areas : Task Area 1 – Delivery timelinesDelivery of liquid helium should be available on at least one day per week , with a lead time for ordering of a maximum of one week ( or 5 business days ). Dewars in 60 - & 100 - liter sizes shall be available for order . A rough estimate of dewar orders per year is 31 x 100 liter , and 42 x 60 liter . Task Area 2 – Shipping / Delivery InstructionsThe deliveries shall be made to the following addresses based on the request at the time of the specific order . All of these addresses are buildings on the main campus of NIH in Bethesda , MD 20892 . NIH 9000 Rockville Pike Bldg . 5 B2 levelNIH 9000 Rockville Pike Bldg . 50 / Rm B204NIH 9000 Rockville Pike Bldg . 8 Rm 427 ( or 4th floor elevator ) NIH 9000 Rockville Pike Bldg . 6 / Rm B1 - 27NIH 9000 Rockville Pike Bldg . 6 / Rm B1 - 27NIH 9000 Rockville Pike Bldg . 5 / 4th floorTask Area 3 – Purity & quantityThe vendor shall be paid for the liquid helium actually ordered and delivered . The estimated yearly usage is 5 , 620 liters . Liquid helium purity shall be a minimum of 99 . 998 %. Task Area 4 – Dewar requirementsDewar Requirements : 1 . Dewars shall be of non - magnetic construction and have wheels . 2 . All dewar valves shall open and close easily and seal completely . Over - pressure valves and relief valves shall be fitted and operate at the manufacturer - recommended nominal pressures . Dewars shall be delivered with an over - pressure valve in the open position , in order to avoid an unsafe buildup of large pressure . 3 . Dewars shall include all seals & fittings . All seals in the dewar and fittings shall be in good condition and create a complete seal , i . e . no cracks in the seals . 60 - and 100 - liter dewars shall be supplied with ½ inch and 3 / 8 - inch Goddard Compression fitting connectors , or equivalent . 4 . Dewars shall be internally free of ice , “ frozen air ”, or other contamination . 5 . Dewars shall have a maximum helium loss rate per day of the following : 60 L : less than 3 percent per day100 L : less than 2 percent per day6 . Dewars shall be delivered with a minimum volume of the following : 60 L : no less than 53 L100 L : no less than 90 LPurchase Order TypeThis purchase order will be a firm fixed price . Period of PerformanceThe period of performance is 2 / 25 / 2026 to 2 / 24 / 2027 . Payment TermsPayment will be monthly in arrears . The offeror / response must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause 52 . 212 - 1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services . Applicable Clauses : 52 . 203 - 18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements — Representation52 . 204 - 7 System for Award Management — Registration52 . 204 - 13 System for Award Management — Maintenance52 . 209 - 6 Protecting the Government ’ s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred , Suspended , or Proposed for Debarment52 . 240 - 90 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions — Representations and Certifications52 . 203 - 17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights52 . 203 - 19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements52 . 209 - 10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations52 . 212 - 4 Terms and Conditions — Commercial Products and Commercial Services52 . 219 - 4 Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns52 . 219 - 28 Postaward Small Business Program Representation52 . 222 - 19 Child Labor — Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies52 . 222 - 3 Convict Labor52 . 222 - 36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities52 . 222 - 50 Combating Trafficking in Persons52 . 223 - 23 Sustainable Products and Services52 . 225 - 1 Buy American — Supplies52 . 225 - 3 Buy American — Free Trade Agreements — Israeli Trade Act52 . 226 - 8 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving52 . 232 - 33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer — System for Award Management52 . 232 - 40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors52 . 233 - 4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim52 . 233 - 3 Protest after Award52 . 240 - 90 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions — Representations and Certifications52 . 244 - 6 Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services47 . 303 - 6 F . o . b . destinationQuotations will be due on February 11 , 2026 , before 9 : 00 am eastern daylight time via email to robinsti @ mail . nih . gov . Attn : Tina Robinson . The quotation must reference “ Solicitation number 75N94026Q00040 . All responsible sources may submit a quotation , which if timely received , shall be considered by the agency . Any questions must be sent via email to robinsti @ mail . nih . gov and must include solicitation # 75N94026Q00040 in the subject line of email .“ System updates may lag policy updates . The System for Award Management ( SAM ) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in this solicitation . Contracting officers will rely on representations from offerors based on provisions in the solicitation . Entities are not required to , nor are they able to , update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM .” In order to receive an award , contractor must be registered as all awards and have valid certification in the System for Award Management ( SAM ) @ www . Sam . gov . Lack of valid registration in SAM will make an offeror ineligible for award . FAR Clause : An Offeror is required to be registered in SAM when submitting an offer or quotation and shall continue to be registered until time of award , during performance , and through final payment of any contract , basic agreement , basic ordering agreement , or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation . Evaluation CriteriaThe provision at FAR clause 52 . 212 - 2 , Evaluation – Commercial Items , is applicable . Award will be made to the contractor providing the most advantageous quote to the Government . Technical factors and price considered . Technical factors outweigh cost . Technical Factors : Technical Acceptability : Proposal . The Government will evaluate the Offeror ’ s ability to provide the services that comply with the technical requirements listed under section Scope of Work / Contractor Requirements / Tasks to be deemed technically acceptable , the Offeror ’ s proposal must demonstrate the Offeror ’ s ability to successfully execute the requirements as listed .

Maryland

2026-05-02