Cylinder valve and clylinder value Guard

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE for market research purposes. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS AND DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT NOW OR IN THE FUTURE. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT to conduct market research for Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is seeking a capable vendor to provide the services noted below on the NIST Gaithersburg, MD Campus. The purpose of this synopsis is to identify organizations with the requisite qualifications to provide the services stated herein. Based on the capability statement's received in response to this Sources Sought Announcement this acquisition may be solicited as a 100% small business set aside. All small business organizations (SB SDB, WOSB, HUB Zone, and VOSB and SDVOSB) are encouraged to respond to this notice. Interested, capable vendors (parties) shall submit a capability statement in response to this Sources Sought Notice, including, at a minimum, the following: BACKGROUND The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Storeroom and Warehouse has a fleet of 800 - 1200 NIST owned cylinders that are used to provide cylinder gases for the NIST Gaithersburg Campus. A safety upgrade is required for the current fleet of cylinders. The safety upgrade will ensure that each cylinder fully meets the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) Standards for gas cylinders and will improve the safe handling and use of the cylinders. Prior to implementation of the safety upgrade, NIST must purchase new valves and safety valve guards for each of the NIST owned cylinders meeting the NIST required specifications. PURPOSE The purpose of this Sources Sought notice is to obtain new valves and safety valve guards for NIST owned cylinders. Proposed valve should be brand name or equal to Airgas All in One Valve Part# 1PMFVC. Proposed valve guard should be brand name or equal to Airgas All in One Valve Guard Part# 1MFG2 1. New Equipment All equipment must be new. No used or refurbished equipment will be accepted. 2. Valve Requirements The government will purchase all valves and they shall meet all of the following required specifications: 3. Integrated High Pressure Gauge to allow for monitoring of gas pressure in the cylinder; 3.1 Cylinder pressure must be visible on the gauge without affixing a secondary regulator or gauge to the bottle; 3.2 Must have a built-in flow restrictor that prevents rapid release in case the valve is accidentally opened or damaged; 3.3 Must maintain a minimal residual pressure on bottle to insure quality of gas by avoiding the intrusion from atmospheric contaminants. For the purpose of this solicitation, minimal means 20-40 pounds per square inch gauge (PSIG); 3.4 Gauge must be calibrated to manufacturer's specifications; 4. Must contain a CGA approved pressure relief safety; 5. Notwithstanding commercial practice, upon final acceptance and final payment valves will be purchased and become Government Property. 6. For each line item, the defined valve must accommodate the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) fittings as set forth below: Breathing Air - CGA 346 fitting; Argon - CGA 580 fitting; P-10 - GAS, P-10, ARGON 90% - METHANE 10% CGA 350 fitting; Forming Gas - CGA 350 fitting; Helium - CGA 580 fitting; Hydrogen - CGA 350 fitting; Nitrogen - CGA 580 fitting; Oxygen - CGA 540 fitting. 7. On/Off Indicator on the valve that will provide an obvious and clear visual indication that the valve is in an on or off position. 8. Gauge shall be positioned on the right side when facing the valve and angled for improved visibility and easy access when mounting regulators. 9. Safety Valve Guard Requirements All safety valve guards delivered under this purchase order shall meet all of the following required specifications and will be purchased and become Government Property. 9.1 The safety valve guard must satisfy all Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations for compressed gas transport of gas cylinders; 9.1.1 DOT drop test certification for this model of valve guards is required; 9.2 Safety valve guard must be 100% compatible with the valve; 9.3 Safety valve guard must fix to the cylinder so that the guard cannot be removed or fall off during transport, fill, and lab use; 9.4 The safety valve guard must allow for: -Unimpeded access to the CGA valve fitting; -Unimpeded access to the on/off operation of the valve; and -The unimpeded ability to attach a regulator, using a properly sized wrench as necessary, to attach the regulator on the CGA valve fitting. 9.5 The safety valve guard must protect the valve from rupture, shock, drops and rough handling; 9.6 The top of the cap must allow for safe handling when moving the Cylinder; 10. Vendors must include a specification cut sheets with their capabilities statement for proposed valve and valve guard no later than the response date for this sources sought notice. A SOLICITATION IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. The Government is not obligated and will not pay for any information received from potential sources as a result of this sources sought. If and when a solicitation is issued it will be posted on https://www.fbo.gov/. It is the respondent's responsibility to monitor this site for the release of any synopsis or solicitation. Vendors are not required to respond to this notice to be considered for award. No phone calls will be accepted for this notice. All questions may be addressed to [email protected]. Responses to this notice must be received by this office no later than 2:00 PM ET April 25, 2016. Submission can be sent to [email protected]. Please address email subject line as: Capabilities Statement Sources for Cylinder Valves and Safety Value Guards.