National Institute of Standards & Technology, Acquisition & Assistance Division, Bldg. 301, Rm. B117, Gaithersburg, MD

68 -- LIQUID NITROGEN SOL 52SBNB6C9290 DUE 092796 POC Verron Brade (301) 975-4154 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a requirement for liquid nitrogen with the following specifications: Nitrogen (99.998%), Oxygen--less than 5 ppm, Carbon monoxide--less than 2 ppm, Carbon Dioxide--less than 2 ppm, Water--0.5 ppm; and Dew Point--(-113) Degrees Farenheit. Additionally, the contractor shall provide/install two (2) contractor-owned/leased/rented liquid nitrogen tanks (one 5,000-gallon capacity and one 3,000-gallon capacity) which include gauges to accurately indicate the volume of liquid nitrogen remaining in the tank. Should a requirement exist in the future for additional tanks, they may be ordered within the maximum dollar value of the subsequent contract. The contractor shall also be responsible for the maintenance of the contractor-owned/leased/rented tanks. The current location of the two contractor tanks are described below in addition to the Government-owned tank locations. The liquid nitrogen is to be furnished currently to five (5) individual NIST (Gaithersburg, MD) customers as follows: (1) the contractor shall supply one 5,000-gallon capacity tank through rental/lease to be located at Building 301 (Supply and Plant); estimated usage for this tank during the base year is expected to be a maximum of 100,000 gallons; (2) the contractor shall supply one 3,000-gallon capacity tank through rental/lease to be located on the north side of Building 225 (Technology); estimated usage for this tank in the base year of performance is expected to be 190,000 gallons; (3) the estimated usage of the 6,000-gallon capacity Government-owned tank located on the south side of Building 235 (Reactor) is 140,000 gallons maximum for the base year; (4) the estimated usage of the 300-gallon capacity Government-owned tank located in Building 221 (Physics) is approximately 45,000 gallons during the base year; and (5) the estimated usage of the 1,300-gallon capacity Government-owned tank located on the south side of Building 235 (Reactor) is 200,000 gallons during the base year. The contractor shall ensure that the volume of liquid nitrogen in each of the five individual tanks does not decrease below 15% capacity. A requirements contract with a basic period of performance of October 1, 1996 through September 30, 1997 will be issued to the successful offeror with four (4) additional one-year option periods. The estimates provided are not a representation to offerors that the estimated quantity will be required, or that conditions affecting requirements will be stable or normal but are based on the most current information available. THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN FAR SUBPART 12.6, AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; PROPOSALS ARE BEING REQUESTED AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED. The solicitation number is 52SBNB6C9290 and is issued as a request for proposal (RFP). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 37. This requirement will be issued under full and open competition; the associated standard industrial classification code is 2819 with the small business size standard of 1,000 employees. Accordingly, each offeror's proposal should indicate for each respective contract year the proposed rate per gallon of liquid nitrogen meeting the required specifications and the monthly rate for rental of the contractor-owned/leased liquid nitrogen tanks requested above. Additionally, each offeror shall indicate the specification of the liquid nitrogen to be supplied ensuring that the government minimum specification is met. For evaluation purposes only, the proposed rate per gallon for each year will be multiplied by the following estimated quantities: year 1--675,000 gallons; year 2--742,000 gallons; year 3--816,000 gallons; year 4--898,000 gallons; and year 5--987,000 gallons; the proposed rental cost for the potential five year period of performance will also be included for evaluation purposes. The following FAR provision apply to this solicitation: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors--Commercial, applies to this acquisition; and 52.212-2, Evaluation--Commercial Items. Evaluation criteria to be included in paragraph (a) of provision 52.212-2 are as follows: Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price. Technical Capability and Past Performance, when combined are approximately equal in importance to Price; all offerors are to include with their offer a completed copy of provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications--Commercial Items. The following FAR clauses apply to this acquisition: 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items; and 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders--Commercial Items. The following additional FAR clauses cited in clause 52.212-5 are applicable to this acquisition: 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Alternate I); 52.203-10, Price or Fee Adjustment for Illegal or Improper Activity; 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns and Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns; 52.219-9, Small, Small Disadvantaged and Women-Owned Small Business Subcontracting Plan; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans; 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; 52.225-3, Buy American Act--Supplies; and 52.225-9, Buy American Act--Trade Agreements Act--Balance of Payments Program. All offers should be submitted to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Acquisition and Assistance Division, Building 301, Room B117, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899-0001. Faxed offers will not be accepted. All offers are due by 1:00 PM, September 27, 1996. Verron Brade is the individual to contact for information regarding the solicitation and may be contacted at (301) 975-4154. (0254)

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