What this opportunity is
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is seeking a total small business set-aside for the procurement of five 230-liter pressurized liquid nitrogen dewars, as outlined in the solicitation notice. This opportunity is suitable for small businesses in the manufacturing sector, specifically those classified under NAICS 332420. Interested vendors should note that this is a solicitation notice, indicating that they will need to prepare a bid to compete for the contract, rather than simply tracking the opportunity.
Analysis by Mindy, grounded in the SAM.gov notice.
Description
Statement of Work for Procurement of Pressurized Liquid Nitrogen
Dewars
1.0 Introduction/Background:
The Advanced Materials and Processing Branch relies extensively on pressurized liquid
nitrogen (LN2) dewars to support a myriad of mission-relevant laboratory operations,
material testing, and characterization efforts. Currently, the branch utilizes dewars that
are many years old. Because these vessels are subjected to extreme thermal cycling and
sustained pressure, replacing this aging equipment is a critical, proactive measure to
prevent unanticipated safety failures. Upgrading these essential supplies will ensure
uninterrupted laboratory operations while maximizing the safety of personnel handling
hazardous cryogenic materials.
2.0 Scope of Work:
The scope of this Statement of Work (SOW) covers the procurement and delivery of five
(5) 230-liter (230 L) pressurized liquid cylinders (dewars) specifically designed for liquid
nitrogen storage and handling. The replacement dewars must meet or exceed all current
industry safety standards for the handling of liquid nitrogen from a pressurized system.
The scope requires that the procured units are fully capable of safely executing all
standard laboratory cryogenic activities, including filling the vessel from a completely
empty, ambient-temperature state (a "hot tank") and safely dispersing liquid nitrogen into
both secondary pressurized vessels and unpressurized open containers.
3.0 Objectives:
The primary objective of this procurement is to safely modernize the cryogenic storage
capabilities of the Advanced Materials and Processing Branch by successfully replacing
the current aging 230 L pressurized dewars. Procuring this new equipment will
proactively eliminate the safety risks associated with operating degraded pressure vessels,
specifically mitigating the hazards of unanticipated structural failure, exposure to extreme
cryogenic temperatures, and the release of potentially asphyxiating gases in the
laboratory environment.
4.0 Description of the Work/Contractor Tasks:
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The Contractor shall supply and deliver the required laboratory equipment (five 230 L
pressurized liquid nitrogen dewars) to the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA). This procurement must be executed in a manner consistent with
responsible fiscal practices, ensuring the Government receives optimal value without
compromising on the critical safety components required for cryogenic pressure vessels.
The Contractor shall perform the following tasks:
• Supply five (5) new, defect-free 230 L pressurized liquid cylinders that strictly
conform to the specifications outlined in Section 5.0.
• Ensure all supplied equipment fully complies with national pressure vessel and
cryogenic safety standards.
• Coordinate the timely and secure delivery of the dewars to the designated NASA
facility, ensuring that the structural integrity and high-level safety features of the
supplies are maintained during transit.
5.0 Deliverables:
Execution of this procurement request shall result in the delivery of five (5) 230 L liquid
nitrogen dewars. The Contractor shall ensure that all five deliverables meet the following
mandatory specifications, material properties, and safety criteria:
General & Structural Requirements:
• Designed as a premium, transportable liquid cylinder strictly for cryogenic
service.
• Constructed of high-quality stainless steel.
• Equipped with a thick, dent-resistant outer shell to withstand laboratory
environments.
• Engineered with a robust inner-vessel support system.
• Features a base design consisting of a round bottom equipped with durable, load-
bearing casters for safe mobility.
• Features a large-diameter handling ring secured with a minimum of four structural
supports.
• All fixtures, seals, and connections must be specifically rated and appropriate for
use with nitrogen gas and liquid nitrogen.
Valves, Instrumentation, and Safety Features:
• Pressure Builder (PB) Valve/Regulator: Must control the internal circuit that
converts liquid to gas to effectively increase pressure for dispensing.
• Liquid Valve & Port: Must provide a secure outlet to dispense liquid nitrogen.
• Gas Use Valve: Must allow for the safe withdrawal of nitrogen in its gaseous
form.
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• Pressure Gauge: Must provide an accurate, easy-to-read display of internal vessel
pressure.
• Liquid Level Gauge: Must accurately measure and display the amount of
remaining liquid nitrogen.
• Vent Valve: Must allow for manual venting of gas to safely reduce internal
pressure when required.
• Pressure Relief Valve (PRV): Must be calibrated to release excess pressure
automatically to prevent over-pressurization and catastrophic failure.
• Rupture Disk: Must be installed as a secondary, fail-safe backup that
automatically ruptures to depressurize the tank in the event of PRV failure.
• Transfer Hose: Must include a specially insulated, vacuum-jacketed hose rated for
the safe transfer of cryogenic liquids.
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Source: SAM.gov, as posted. Verify the current solicitation before responding.