Gas Counter Cryogenic and High-Pressure Condensing Volume Production

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with IceOxford Limited, Unit A, Avenue Four, Witney, OX28 4BN, United Kingdom, for the purchase of a cryogenic condensing vessel needed by the Radiation Physics Division (PML) at NIST.

The NIST Radioactivity Group is responsible for creating and disseminating standards for radioactivity measurements in the US. There is an identified need for both calibration services and standards for radioactive gases. Accordingly, the NIST Radioactivity Group is creating a radioactive gas counting system.  This work requires the ability to quantitatively transfer gases from calibrated volumes to a chamber housing a detector array. The most effective way to accomplish this transfer is to condense the gases using a "cold finger" submerged in liquid helium and then allow the condensed gases to vaporize with a controlled volume before being released to the detector chamber. This requires a highly specialized volume that can be repeatedly subjected to high vacuum, temperatures of -269 degrees C, and pressure of up to 500 psi.

Sole source determination is based on the need to purchase a cryogenic condensing vessel, which is a key component of a radioactive gas counting system NIST is developing to perform traceable calibration services and prepare standards for radioactive gas materials.  Failure to procure the cryogenic condensing vessel will negatively impact NIST in having to redevelop, test, and implement a new system of gas transfer, and the relative efficiency will be unknown.  IceOxford Limited is the only known vendor capable in providing the cryogenic condensing vessel.

 The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334519, Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing, with a size standard of 500 employees. 

A determination by the Government not to complete with the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

No solicitation package will be issued.  This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations.  However, responses received by August 23, 2024 8:00 am, ET will be considered by the Government.