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, firm fixed price, blanket purchase agreement, with Aigas USA LLC, 6055 Rockside Woods Blvd. N Ste. 500, Independence, OH 44131 to acquire specialty laboratory gases for the Laboratory Division (LD).

The Laboratory Division (LD) has a requirement for gases to support its forensic scienceoperations at the FBI Laboratory. Specialized gases are used to operate scientific instruments and perform examinations in many LD disciplines. A single type of gas can be used for multiple functions, and a single instrument can use multiple types of gases. Some of the gases used by various disciplines in the LD 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 event of an emergency, delivery is needed within 24 hours.

In conclusion, based on market research, Government end-users, and speaking with the manufacturer, it has been determined the FBI's requirement can only be provided by Airgas USA LLC, as no other vendor is capable of meeting the required services. Justification available upon request.

This notice will be distributed solely through the General Services Administration’s System for Awards Management website (www.SAM.gov). Interested parties are responsible for monitoring the site to ensure they have the most up-to-date information about this acquisition.

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 submit a capabilities statement to include an OEM Authorized Reseller letter or certificate in response to this requirement to Contracting Officer Emma Taylor Reynolds via email at etreynolds@fbi.gov, no later than 5:00 pm EST on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Responses sent utilizing other means (i.e., via a telephone call, facsimile transmission, etc.) will not be considered. Information received will be used solely to determine whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to complete 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 uses 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, UEI, addresses and contact information. The EFT banking information on file in SAM will be what the FBI uses to process payment to your organization.