SPECIAL NOTICE
68 -- NOTICE OF INTENT-Isotope Helium 3
- Notice Date
- 8/1/2022 4:21:24 PM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 325120
— Industrial Gas Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- DEPT OF COMMERCE NIST GAITHERSBURG MD 20899 USA
- ZIP Code
- 20899
- Solicitation Number
- NB6870802202553
- Response Due
- 8/5/2022 4:00:00 PM
- Point of Contact
- Angela Hitt, Phone: 3034977305
- E-Mail Address
-
angela.hitt@nist.gov
(angela.hitt@nist.gov)
- Description
- NOTICE OF INTENT The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division intends to negotiate with Linde located in Hampton, Hunterdon, New Jersey on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b), soliciting from a single source, for Isotope Helium 3 in gaseous form. This isotope is used in refrigerators developed by the QSG to reach temperatures milliKelvin temperatures.� The refrigerators perform a thermodynamic cycle on the Helium-3 cooling.� These low temperatures enable sensors of unprecedented performance that the QSG uses for a mix of basic and applied science. Specific Requirements are as follows: �Item 1: 18 stp liters of Helium-3 gas (the isotope of Helium comprised of two protons and one neutron) with the following additional properties: a.�������� Purity greater than 99.9 atomic % b.�������� Containment in a valved vessel suitable for connection to a standard gas manifold This shall be provided and accomplished in accordance with these specifications. NAICS Code is 325120 � Industrial Gas Manufacturing, with a Size Standard of 1,000 employees. NIST anticipates negotiating and awarding a firm-fixed-price purchase order to Linde for this requirement. Interested parties that can demonstrate they could satisfy the requirement listed above for NIST must clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether competitive procedures could be used for this acquisition. If competitive procedures are not used it is estimated that an award will be issued 4th Quarter of FY22. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to angela.hitt@nist.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted to angela.hitt@nist.gov no later than the date and time provided herein this posting. JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AN OPEN COMPETITION: Market research resulted in Linde being the only vendor that can supply Isotope Helium 3 in Gaseous Form. Linde electronics and specialty gases has an exclusive relationship with the US Department of Energy (DOE) such that Linde is the designated distributor of Helium-3 in custody of the DOE.� Only the isotope Helium-3 has the necessary cryogenic properties for our application.� Helium-3 does not occur naturally in significant quantities.� Helium-3 is a byproduct of activities conducted by the US Department of Energy.� Hence, the US DOE maintains the US inventory of Helium-3.� The US DOE has authorized Linde gases to provide Helium-3 to certain specially approved projects within the US.� This purchase is for such a project.� There is presently a worldwide shortage of Helium-3 such that only approved projects can�� obtain the gas.� This shortage has been heavily documented in the public domain. Hence, Linde is the only possible source of�� Helium-3.
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/0a355ec3135340e49e56126adc238934/view)
- Record
- SN06408739-F 20220803/220801230126 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
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