PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE PUBLISHED. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) intends to negotiate a sole source, blanket purchase agreement (BPA) contract with ARC3 Gases, Inc., 1636 US-301, Dunn, NC 28334 for the purpose of establishing a BPA for laboratory gases. The procurement is being conducted under FAR Parts 12 and 13.

The FBI’s Laboratory Division has a requirement for gases to support its forensic science operations in the main FBI Laboratory building and the FBI Operational Response Center. Specialized gases are used to operate scientific instruments and perform examinations in many Laboratory Division disciplines, including Chemistry, Explosives, Trace Evidence, Counterterrorism Forensic Science Research, DNA, Chem-Bio-Rad-Nuclear Sciences, and Firearms and Toolmarks. A single type of gas can be used for multiple functions and a single instrument can use multiple types of gases. Some of those gases include Acetylene, argon (high pressure, liquid, and ultra-high purity), carbon dioxide (research grade), carbon monoxide (research grade), compressed air, helium (high purity and ultra-high purity), hydrogen (research grade), methane (ultra-high purity), nitrogen (gas, liquid, and ultra-high purity), oxygen, and ultra-zero air. Gases must be available for routine delivery on a weekly basis and in the even of an emergency, delivery is required within 24 hours.

The Laboratory Division currently utilizes a Perma-Cylinder holding tank for Liquid Argon from ARC3 Gases, Inc. The ability to fill the current tank with up to 1,000 liters of argon is required. ARC3 Gases is the only vendor permitted to fill their tanks; therefore, they are the only vendor capable of meeting this requirement.

Based on market research and Government end users, it has been determined that ARC3 Gases, Inc. is the only vendor capable of providing all of the required gases, the number of tanks required, and the ability to fill the existing liquid argon tank.

This notice will be distributed solely through the General Services Administration’s SAM.gov website (www.SAM.gov). Interested parties are responsible for monitoring the beta.SAM site to ensure they have the most up-to-date information about this acquisition. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 325120 – Industrial Gas Manufacturing; the size standard is 1,000 employees.

The Government intends to negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties may identify their interests and capability to respond to this requirement by contacting Keri Matthews via email only at KCMatthews@fbi.gov, no later than 1:00pm (Central) on Monday, October 31, 2022. Responses sent via other means (i.e. via telephone call, facsimile transmission, etc.) will not be considered. Information received will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is at the discretion of the Government.

Vendors must be registered in SAM, effective July 29, 2012, to receive government contracts. The FBI utilizes a financial system that has a direct interface with SAM. Please ensure that your company’s SAM information is updated and accurate. This includes: TIN, EFT, DUNs, addresses, and contact information. The EFT banking information on file in SAM will be what the FBI uses to process payment to your organization.