Note: The folloiwng questions and answers are provided for informational purposes. The quote submission date and period of performance remains unchanged under this RFQ. Question 1: We would also respectfully request your consideration for an extension on the due date to allow complete review and time to prepare an offer. Answer: No Extension is granted at this time. Question 2: In addition, we would also like to understand the government's definition of "technical support" and to clarify this requirement and expectation please further. "The contractor shall provide on-site technical support within 24 hours of service request at no charge to the government" Technical Support – is defined as follows: We expect the service representative to be on-site to resolve gas or equipment problems as needed. Question 3: Will the FDA contracting office consider: 1) Multiple awards, one for the bulk and one for the cylinders? No, this requirement will not be a multiply award contract. Question 4: Will there be a Longer transition time to install the bulk tank? We respectfully request at least 90-120 days to install, as is a standard transition time for a micro bulk installation changeover. Yes, quoters may extend the bulk tank installation to within 120 day after contract award since installation may be delayed by the removal of existing tanks. Question 5: Longer period of performance - Request consideration for a base year, and 4 option years. A large capital expenditure is required for a permanent installation and the contract is only for a one-year base period, plus one 12- month option. No, the period of performance will remain unchanged. Question 6: In regard to the bulk argon requirement: Request the FDA provide a copy of their current vendor's bulk liquid argon Certificate of Analysis that is acceptable to the Lab and does that C of A include analysis for oxygen, nitrogen, and krypton Request verification that the Lab requires UHP grade argon that is 99.999 % and that is the product purity currently being delivered Will the FDA accept bulk argon that is 99.998% Will the FDA consider waiving the testing requirement for the oxygen, nitrogen, and/or krypton (currently we are unable to analyze for krypton) Answer: Contaminants in the argon bulk tank cannot exceed the levels specified in the RFQ. If the krypton level is too high, FDA will notify the contractor. All the major suppliers have different levels of contaminants in their argon despite the equivalent declared grade/purity. Therefore, no % purity is specified in the RFQ. Maximum level of contaminants in the argon bulk tank cannot exceed the levels specified in the RFQ. No, we will not be providing an example of the CoA Note that the CoA must be provided only if we request it. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation, and a written solicitation will not be issued. This procurement is set aside for Small Business Concerns. This requirement is “Subject to the Availability of Funds” The Following FAR Clause applies: AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS (52.232-18) (APR 1984) This synopsis, NAICS code 325120, identified as REQ No.: 75F40121Q00141 is to notify contractors that the government intends to issue a Purchase Order in accordance with FAR Part 13.106 for the following specifications, under the simplified acquisition procedures. Prospective offerors are responsible for downloading the solicitation and any amendments. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the beta.sam.gov website for the release of any amendments to this solicitation. Hard copies will only be provided to individuals eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Rehabilitation Act upon request. Specifications: Background The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) San Francisco Laboratory (SANFL) conducts analyses of human and animal food to support FDA’s mission of protecting the American public health. To accomplish SANFL’s workplan goals and congressional mandates, SANFL requires commercially available consumable high purity and high-quality laboratory grade compressed and liquid gases for analysis of regulatory samples and operation of laboratory scientific instruments. The results generated from the regulatory samples and laboratory instruments will be evaluated and used by the agency to implement regulatory actions. Scope Contractor shall supply and deliver various laboratory grade compressed gases in rental cylinders, liquid nitrogen in rental Dewars, and liquid argon to a bulk tank. Delivered products shall meet technical specifications listed in the requirements section. Contractor shall meet inside delivery requirements and timeframes specified in the requirements section. Orders will be placed on as-needed basis which may range from weekly to bimonthly. Requirements Contractor shall supply and deliver laboratory grade high purity and high-quality compressed gases in rental gas cylinders, liquid nitrogen in rental Dewars, and liquid argon to a bulk tank as follows: Technical Specifications: Product Minimum Grade/ Purity* Cylinder Specification Approximate Size Estimated Annual Quantity Liquid Nitrogen 99.998%^^ DOT-4L292 230 L 40 Helium 99.999% DOT3AA-2400 300 cubic ft 2 Oxygen 99.999% DOT3AA-2400 300 cubic ft 1 Hydrogen 99.999% DOT3AA-2400 cubic ft 1 Nitrogen 99.999% DOT3AA-2400 300 cubic ft 2 Argon See requirements below** 3000 L 1800 L *Compressed/liquid gases must meet or exceed specified grade/ purity. ^^ Alternate lower grade/purity for liquid nitrogen in dewars may be purchased upon request. ** Contaminants in the argon bulk tank cannot exceed the following level: Contaminants Level Oxygen < 1 ppm Nitrogen < 5 ppm Carbon Monoxide < 0.5 ppm Carbon Dioxide < 0.5 ppm Methane < 0.5 ppm Water < 1 ppm Krypton < 1 ppm Contractor shall provide liquid argon bulk tank system capable of providing argon gas up to 200 L/min and up to 102 psi at each of 9 points of use. System shall be installed on an existing 10-foot x 8-foot x 5 inches (depth of concrete) concrete pad. Contractor shall provide tank specification to confirm installation requirements. Tank shall be installed to current fittings and regulators located at the concrete pad location. The bulk liquid gas storage system shall have the capacity to hold a minimum of 3,000 liters of argon. Tank must be installed, purged of contaminants, filled, and ready to operate within 90 days of the award date. Upon completion of the contract, including any option periods exercised, contractor shall remove all contractor owned property from the facility within 60 days. Contractor shall provide liquid nitrogen bulk tank system with the capacity to hold a minimum of 1,500 liters of nitrogen. Contractor shall provide tank specification to confirm installation requirements. Tank shall be installed to current fittings and regulators located at the concrete pad location. Tank must be installed, purged of contaminants, filled, and ready to operate within 90 days of the award date. Upon completion of the contract, including any option periods exercised, contractor shall remove all contractor owned property from the facility. Contractor shall supply and deliver requested quantities of products within 48-hours of order submission for liquid gas and within 24 hours of order submission or on a day as specified by the requester for compressed gas as part of normal/standard service. Contractor shall supply and deliver requested quantities of products same day delivery for expedited service unless otherwise agreed by requestor at the time of order. Contractor shall provide on-site technical support within 24 hours of service request at no charge to the government. Contractor shall replace defective gas cylinders and Dewars within 24 hours of service request at no charge to the government. Government shall not be charged for the order associated with the defective cylinders or Dewars. Contractor shall supply all labor, materials, manifests, shipping papers, containers, equipment, vehicles, and managerial services necessary to safely deliver orders of bulk gases, and to safely deliver and retrieve orders for cylinders and Dewars. Each order shall be delivered in one shipment to minimize facility access needs unless otherwise agreed by government at the time of order. Contractor shall receive order submission and provide technical support by telephone and/or email Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays, between 8:00am and 4:00pm local Time. Contractor shall deliver and properly secure gas cylinders and dewars in designated area inside the facility. Delivery shall include connection to equipment at no additional charge. Empty gas cylinders and Dewars shall be retrieved in the same locations by the contractor during deliveries to help minimize rental costs. Invoices for gas cylinder, Dewar, bulk tank rental charges (demurrage) shall be provided monthly. Contractor shall receive delivery request and provide technical support by telephone Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays, between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm local Time. Contractor shall abide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Transportation (DOT), guidelines and requirements to ensure safe transport of the gases/cylinders. Ordering Procedures and Deliverables Designated Government personnel (Lab Gas POC) will call contractor to place orders as necessary. Contractor must call designated Government (Lab Gas POC) prior to arrival for delivery. Designated Government personnel (Lab Gas POC) will receive, inspect, accept, and sign for all deliveries in writing at the time of delivery and contractor will provide a copy of the signed delivery ticket at that time. Table 1 . Deliverables / Schedule Deliverable Schedule/Quantity Liquid Nitrogen (routine) 3 Dewars/month or as needed basis Helium (routine) 2 cylinders/year or as needed basis Oxygen (routine) 1 cylinder/year or as needed basis Hydrogen(routine) 1 cylinder/year or as needed basis Nitrogen (routine) 2 cylinders/year or as needed basis Liquid Argon (bulk tank) Every 2 months or as needed basis Liquid Nitrogen (bulk tank) Every 6 months, or as needed Additional Gases TBD - As mutually agreed Compressed and liquid gases must meet the minimum specifications found in the Technical Specifications table in the Requirements section. Deliveries shall meet the timeframe specified in the Requirements section. All deliveries shall be packaged, marked, and shipped in accordance with the U.S. DoT Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR Parts 171 through 180), and OSHA regulation (29 CFR Part 1910.1200). At a minimum, all deliveries shall be marked with the Purchase Order Number and Contractor Name. FOB Point destination to include inside delivery as specified in the Requirements section. Inspection and Acceptance The Government (Lab Gas POC) will perform inspection and acceptance of gases, equipment, installation and services to be provided. The Lab Gas POC – to be determined upon contract award - is the authorized representative of the Contracting Officer’s Representative. The Government will accept goods, reports, and services only if they conform to all terms and conditions of the SOW, and satisfy the performance standards developed under this SOW. The Government will reject non-conforming products and services. The Contractor shall correct any deficiencies within two 2 business days of when the Government issues the rejection notice. If the Contractor cannot correct the deficiencies within this time frame, the Contractor shall immediately notify the COR of the reason for the delay and provide a proposed corrective action plan within 1 day via email. Performance Summary Matrix Performance Standards Acceptable Quality Level Monitoring Method Quality of Deliverables Acceptable: Meets the specifications listed above as minimum grade standards Unacceptable: Does not meet the minimum standards. Observation and Inspection Timely submission of deliverables Acceptable: Deliverable is submitted by the assigned due date in accordance with the SOW. Unacceptable: A deliverable is submitted after the assigned due date without government approval to adjust the due date. Observation and Inspection Place of Performance US Food & Drug Administration – SANFL 1201 Harbor Bay Parkway Alameda, CA 94502 Contractor must call Government (Lab Gas POC) prior to arrival. Delivery must be during regular business hours (Monday – Friday) between the times of 8:00 am – 4:00 pm excluding holidays as follows: New Year’s Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Presidents Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day When contractor representatives arrive on site to deliver / install equipment, they will need to provide proper U.S. photo identification to check-in with the Federal Protective Service (FPS) Security Guards to enter the building. The contractor representatives will receive an “Escort Required” temporary badge, which must be worn at all times in the building and will remain escorted by lab personnel during their visit. If contractors need to enter the laboratory, safety glasses must be worn. When their work is complete, the contractor representatives will provide the Customer with a work order or service receipt detailing the requirements of the visit. The contractor representatives will check-out with the same FPS Security Guards, turning in their temporary badge. Period of Performance The period of performance includes a 12-months Base period, plus two 12-month Option periods. Basis for Award The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible quoter as a fixed‐price contract on the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) evaluation method. Award will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated price meeting or exceeding the non‐cost factor (technical conformance to the requirements of the solicitation). The Quoter’s initial quotation shall contain the Quoter’s best terms from a price standpoint. Failure to demonstrate meeting any of the requirements will result in a rating of technically unacceptable and will not be considered for award. FAR provisions can be found on the following website: http://Acquisition.gov The following provisions apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items; 52.225-2 Buy American Certificate; 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items; 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items including subparagraphs: 52.222-3, Convict Labor 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons 52.225-1, Buy American Act--Supplies 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Fund Transfer-Central Contractor Registration. In order to facilitate the award process, ALL quotes shall include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein. Additionally, all quotes shall include price (s); FOB point; a poc (name and telephone number); a statement from the offeror verifying that they are Registered in SAM under NAICS code; 811219 delivery date (delivery date is of the utmost importance); business size; and payment terms. Delivery shall be to FDA. FDA intends to make an award soon after the response date of this notice and all bids must be submitted via email to
[email protected] and be received by 2:30 PM (1430) on August 19, 2021 to the attention of Mary Rose A. Nicol,
[email protected] . Offerors shall ensure the RFQ number is visible in the header of the email. ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS SYNOPSIS/SOLICIATION MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING NO LATER THAN 2:00 PM (1430) EST ON August 16, 2021. FAX QUOTES SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED.