The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Storeroom and Warehouse is an 11,500 square foot facility, with a 2,700 square foot sales floor, located in Building 301 on the NIST Gaithersburg Campus. The Storeroom is a part of the NIST Administrative Services Division, Logistics Storeroom Section. Their mission is to service customers better than anyone else could serve them and provide customers the highest quality, variety and convenience at a competitive price.

Currently, the NIST Gaithersburg Main Storeroom orders between 10 and 30 liquid helium dewars per week via contract to service the liquid helium needs of the NIST Gaithersburg campus. Dewars ordered range in size from 30 liters to 250 liters. In 2012 the NIST Gaithersburg campus will be commissioning a Liquid Helium Recovery Plant that will be servicing the NIST Gaithersburg campus.

The NIST Gaithersburg Main Storeroom will be responsible to pick- up, fill and deliver liquid helium dewars to end users throughout the NIST Gaithersburg Campus. In order to fulfill this responsibility , the Government is contemplating the purchase of new liquid helium dewars as follows:
-100 Liter Liquid Helium Portable Dewars;
-100 Liter Liquid Helium Wide-Mouth Portable Dewars;
-250 Liter Liquid Helium Portable Dewars;
-60 Liter Liquid Helium Portable Dewars;
-30 Liter Liquid Helium Portable Dewars.

This sources sought notice serves to obtain additional information on sources that can provide some or all of the required dewars meeting some or all the following specifications. These specifications are provided for market research purposes only. Final specifications shall be determined based on information received through market research and NIST's minimum requirements. All equipment shall be new and not refurbished and must become the property of the government upon final acceptance and final payment.

Required Specifications:

100 LITER LIQUID HELIUM PORTABLE DEWAR
A fully packaged assembly that includes a vacuum jacketed 100 liter capacity inner liquid helium vessel rated for 45psi, and with appropriate valves, relief devices, and pressure gauge.
-24" OD x 59" Height;
-Approximately 210-225 lbs. estimated empty weight;
-All Stainless Steel construction;
-5"-6" casters (2) Fixed & (2) Swivel w/ wing style lock;
-No more than 2 Lt per day static evaporation rate.

100 LITER LIQUID HELIUM PORTABLE WIDE-MOUTH PORTABLE DEWAR
A fully packaged assembly that includes a vacuum jacketed 100 liter capacity inner liquid helium vessel rated for 45 psi, and with appropriate valves, relief devices, and pressure gauge.
-24" OD x 59" Height;
-Neck Inner Diameter: at least 2 inches throughout
-Approximately 210-225 lbs. estimated empty weight;
-All Stainless Steel construction;
-5"-6" casters (2) Fixed & (2) Swivel w/ wing style lock;
-No more than 2 Lt per day static evaporation rate;
-Recommended Spare Parts List shall be provided for all equipment furnished.

250 LITER LIQUID HELIUM PORTABLE WIDE-MOUTH PORTABLE DEWAR
A fully packaged assembly that includes a vacuum jacketed 250 liter capacity inner liquid helium vessel rated for 30 psi, and with appropriate valves, relief devices, and pressure gauge.
-32" OD x 70" Height;
-Neck Inner Diameter: at least 2 inches throughout;
-Approximately 330-345 lbs. estimated empty weight;
-All Stainless Steel construction;
-5"-6" casters (2) Fixed & (2) Swivel w/ wing style lock;
-No more than 5 Lt per day static evaporation rate.

60 LITER LIQUID HELIUM PORTABLE DEWAR
A fully packaged assembly that includes a vacuum jacketed 100 liter capacity inner liquid helium vessel rated for 45psi, and with appropriate valves, relief devices, and pressure gauge.
-20" OD x 48" Height;
-Approximately 210-225 lbs. estimated empty weight;
-All Stainless Steel construction;
-5"-6" casters (2) Fixed & (2) Swivel w/ wing style lock
-No more than 1.8 Lt per day static evaporation rate.

30 LITER LIQUID HELIUM PORTABLE DEWAR
A fully packaged assembly that includes a vacuum jacketed 100 liter capacity inner liquid helium vessel rated for 45psi, and with appropriate valves, relief devices, and pressure gauge.
-24" OD x 59" Height;
-Approximately 210-225 lbs. estimated empty weight;
-All Stainless Steel construction;
-5"-6" casters (2) Fixed & (2) Swivel w/ wing style lock;
-No more than 1.5 Lt per day static evaporation rate.

NIST is seeking responses from all responsible sources, including large, foreign, and small businesses. Small businesses are defined under the associated NAICS code for this effort, 332420 Metal Tank, Heavy Gauge Manufacturing, as those domestic sources having 500 employees or less. Please include your company's size classification in any response to this notice.

Companies that can meet all of the above requirements are requested to email a written response documenting their capability to [email protected] no later than the response date for this sources sought notice.

The following information must be provided as part of the response to this sources sought notice:
1. Name and business size of the company proposing to perform the work;

2. If subcontractors or distributors would be utilized, the name of company(ies), and a point of contact for the company (name, phone number, fax number and email address);

3. Indication of number of days, after receipt of order that is typical for delivery ;

4. Indication of whether any products and/or services are currently on one or more GSA Federal Supply Schedule contracts and, if so, the GSA FSS contract number(s);

5. Any other relevant information that is not listed above which the Government should consider in finalizing its market research.

All documentation must be sent to Carol A. Wood, Contract Specialist, at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Acquisition Management Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1640. E-mail address: [email protected]. Submission must be received not later than 12:00 noon on Wednesday,
January 18, 2012.