This is a combined Synopsis/Solicitation for Commercial Items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 and 13, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; QUOTES ARE BEING REQUESTED AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED. The Request for Quotation (RFQ) number is EA133W-09-RQ-0742. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-33.

This procurement is a TOTAL SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 325120 with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees or less. The Federal Supply Class (FSC) is 8120.

The U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Weather Service, Upton, NY requires the following items:

Line Item 0001: Provide helium, technical, in accordance with Federal Specification BB-H-1168B, Grade B, 97.5% helium, in contractor-owned cylinders. Cylinder size to range from 230 - 291 cubic feet; Quantity: 90,000 cubic feet

Line Item 0002: Cylinder Rental, Estimated Cylinders: 40 each per month; Quantity: 480 each

Line Item 0003: Delivery Charges per delivery: Quantity: 12 each

Line Item 0004: Hazmat surcharge per delivery; Quantity: 12 each

Line Item 0005: Fuel surcharge per delivery: Quantity: 12 each

Helium is to be delivered on a monthly basis until the quantity is depleted. The required delivery date is August 1, 2009. All quotes shall be FOB Destination to 175 Brookhaven Avenue, Upton, NY 11973.

The government intends to award a firm-fixed price purchase order for this requirement utilizing simplified acquisition procedures. The following FAR provisions and clauses apply to this solicitation and are incorporated by reference: FAR 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference and FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electrically at the/these addresses: http://www.arnet.gov/far and http://oam.ocs.doc.gov/CAPPS_car.html.
FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items with addenda; CAR 1352.215-73 Inquires (MAR 2000), CAR 1352.216-70 Contract Type (MAR 2000) This is a firm-fixed price type contract for supplies.
CAR 1352.233-71 Service of Protests: Department of Commerce, NOAA, ERAD, Attn: Michele McCoy, 200 Granby Street, 8th Floor, Norfolk, VA 23510}
FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items. NOTE: Offerors may include paragraph (b) through (k) with quote OR enter electronically at https://orca.bpn.gov/ and submit paragraph (f) with quote.
FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items, with addenda; FAR 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (JUNE 2008); CAR 1352.201-70 Contracting Officers Authority (MAR 2000); CAR 1352.208-70 Printing (MAR 2000); CAR 1352.209-73 Compliance With The Laws (MAR 2000); CAR 1352.233-70 Harmless From Liability (MAR 2000); CAR 1352.252-71 Regulatory Notice (MAR 2000); FAR 52.216-2 Economic Price Adjustment - Standard Supplies (Jan 1997)(Fill in: Line Item 0001); FAR 52.223-3 Hazardous Material Identification and Material Safety Data (JAN 1997); FAR 52.223-5 Pollution Prevention and Right-to-Know Information (AUG 2003); CAR 1352.247-70 Packing for Domestic Shipment (MAR 2000);FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (JUN 2009) {Fill-in: Paragraph B, Check items 8, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 32 (Alternate I), 34, and 39}.

In order to comply with the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, ALL CONTRACTORS must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) to be considered for an award of a Federal contract. For information regarding registration in CCR, contact the CCR website at www.ccr.gov/index.cfm. Additionally, each offeror must obtain, and provide with the quote, their nine-digit Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number.

All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Offers must be submitted in writing to the Eastern Region Acquisition Division, 200 Granby Street, Room 815, Norfolk, Virginia 23510 by 11:00 A.M. EST on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. Offers may be faxed to 757-664-3645 or sent electronically to [email protected]. Anticipated award date is on or about Thursday, July 16, 2009. Quotes are to remain effective for 30 days after close of solicitation. Contractors are encouraged to register with the FedBizOpps Vendor Notification Service. Potential offerors may direct all inquiries pertaining to the solicitation in writing to Janie Laferty at [email protected] or faxed to 757-664-3645. Telephonic requests will not be honored.