U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, WASC, Acquisition Management Division WC3, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Bin C15700, Seattle, WA 98115-0070

68 -- PURCHASE OF HELIUM GAS SOL 52ABNW800077 DUE 073198 POC Kristina R. Rodabaugh 206 526-6379, for copy of Solicitation call 206-526-6425 The Government seeks a contractor to provide helium gas to be used by the National Weather Service-Alaska Region (NWS-AR) as inflation gas for weather balloons. The helium shall be assay %99.995% v/v minimum,CGA Grade L or equivalent. The dew point temperature shall be less than -60 degrees Fahrenheit. The usage per site is about 64,000 SCF/yr total. The contract will be an indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) type contract for five years. Amount of helium contained in cylinders will be 6,500 -- 10,000 SCF (30-60 cylinders) maximum per site. The types of containers and cylinders to be filled are as follows: (1) Government owned 20' ISO Containers, capable of storing 64,000 standard cubic feet (SCF) of gaseous helium at a pressure of 3,135 pounds per square inch (psi) in eight manifolded DOT 3T 2850 (rated at 2850 psi at 100%)pressure tubes; (2) Government owned standard K pressure cylinders (amount of helium contained in cylinders will be 6,500 -- 10,000 SCF (30-60 cylinders) per site max, and (3) rented Contractor owned standard K pressure cylinders. The gas containers will be used outside in temperatures ranging from -60 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The contrainers will be delivered by barge to the Seattle area for refill. The Contractor shall pick up and deliver refilled containers to Seattle, Wa. All responsible offerors will be considered. (0173)

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