81 -- 200 GLASS FLASKS SEALED WITH TEFLON O-RING STOPCOCKS

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Global Monitoring Division (GMD) proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), with Allen Scientific Glass Inc., to provide a quantity of 200 air sampling flasks. GMD operates a global air sampling network to measure the distribution and variations of climatically important trace gases (CO2, CH4, CO, H2, N2O, SF6) and stable isotopic ratios (13C/12C, 18O/16O). Whole air samples are collected in glass flasks sealed by means of Teflon O-ring stopcocks. Because these gases are long-lived and well-mixed in the atmosphere, the spatial and temporal variations are relatively small. This requires that the measurements be extremely accurate and precise, on the order of 0.03% for CO2. To obtain the needed levels of accuracy and precision, the air sample composition must not change (gain or loss of any trace gas molecules) during storage in the flasks over time. Any changes in the materials or methods used in our measurements require time-consuming testing to insure that artifacts or offsets are not introduced into the existing long time series. Subtle artifacts could lead to erroneous interpretation of the data. Flasks from other manufacturers have been tested and fail to meet our stability requirements, leaving ASG as the only source for this purchase. The flasks shall be 2.5 liters in size with Glass Expansion, Ltd. (GE) Teflon O-ring stopcocks. The flasks must meet the following stability requirements over a 2 month storage period:1. CO2 the maximum allowed deviation is 0.07 ppm; 2. CH4 the maximum allowed deviation is 2.0 ppb; 3. CO the maximum allowed deviation is 1 ppb; 4. H2 the maximum allowed deviation is 10 ppb; 5. N2O the maximum allowed deviation is 0.4 ppb; 6. SF6 the maximum allowed deviation is 0.06 ppt; 7. 13C/12C the maximum allowed deviation is 0.01 per mil (parts per thousand); 8. 180/160 the maximum allowed deviation is 0.05 per mil. This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (NTE 100K). No solicitation is planned. This synopsis is issued for information only. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether or not use of competitive procedures to fulfill this requirement would be in the Government's best interest and must address qualifications pertinent to this requirement. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing to the attention of Ms. Rima (e-mail preferred) by the close of business on March 21, 2007. Anticipated award date is March 22, 2007.