The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is soliciting information about potential sources that are capable of manufacturing and delivering Anhydrous Ammonia. The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification (service disabled veteran owned small business, veteran owned small business, hubzone, 8(a), small disadvantage business, small business, or large business) relative to NAICS 325120 (size standard of 1,000 employees). Responses to this synopsis will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions.
This effort includes the following requirements:
- KSC will supply 20 cylinders with 150 +/- 10 pounds net in each cylinder to store and transport anhydrous ammonia.
- NASA grade Ammonia shall meet the requirements in table 1. (These requirements are also attached to this sources sought notice in a separate document.)
Table 1. Chemical and physical properties
Characteristic Requirement Analysis Procedure
Purity (1) 99.998% by weight Min. Note 1
CO (2) 1 ppm by vol Max. SEMI C3.12-94
Hydrocarbons (C1-C3) 1 ppm by vol Max. SEMI C3.12-94
H2 5 ppm by vol Max. Note 2
O2 2 ppm by vol Max. SEMI C3.12-94
N2 5 ppm by vol Max. SEMI C3.12-94
Chlorides 1 ppm by vol Max. Ion Chromatography
Water 10 ppm by vol Max. Note 3
Oil 3 ppm by weight Max. Note 4
Particulate Note 1 and 2 Max. Note 5
(1) Purity is determined by subtracting the weight percentages of the various contaminations from 100%.
(2) Hydrogen analysis shall be performed by the oxygen and nitrogen method in SEMI C3.12-94.
(3) Water analysis shall be performed from the ammonia liquid phase using the methods specified in SEMI C3.12-94.
(4) Oil determination shall be performed from the ammonia liquid phase per federal specification O-A445B.
(5) Particulate. Particle size distribution on Millipore filter (absolute filter rating less than or equal to 1 micron) per 1000 ml NH3 sample
Size Particle Count
<25 micron (ì) Unlimited*
25 through 50ì 10700
>50 through 100ì 1540
>100 through 200ì 160
>200ì 0
*Unlimited means that particulate in this size range is not counted; however, if the accumulation of this silt is sufficient to interfere with the analysis, the sample shall be rejected. No obvious rust or other coloration should be on ammonia sample Millipore filter.
(6) Filter. A filter with no more than a 25-micrometer absolute rating shall be installed between the manufacturer’s plant system and the manifold used to fill the containers for delivery. If accumulation of silt is sufficient to interfere with the analysis, the product shall be rejected. No obvious rust or other discoloration should be visible.
Vendors having the capabilities necessary to meet the stated requirements are invited to submit a capability statement of two (2) pages or less, using a minimum font size 12. The capability statement should, at a minimum, indicate the company’s ability to perform all aspects of the effort described herein, and the company’s technical qualifications to manufacture and deliver anhydrous ammonia to KSC.
Responses shall also include the following information:
• Name and address of firm;
• number of employees;
• ownership;
• whether they are large, small, small disadvantaged, Veteran, Service Disabled Veteran, 8(a), HUBZone, and/or woman-owned;
• if items are available on a Federal Supply Schedule please indicate the contract number;
• number of years in business and;
• any relevant current or past performance of equal or similar effort (highlight relevant work performed, contract number, contract type, and dollar value of each contract).
All responses shall be submitted electronically to the following e-mail address: lourdes.m.schroeder@nasa.gov. Responses must be received by Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. EST. The submission shall be prepared in either PDF or Microsoft Office 2000 or greater. PLEASE INCLUDE THE REFERENCE NUMBER IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF THE SUBMITTED FILE.
It is insufficient to provide only general brochures or generic information. NASA/KSC strongly encourages participation from small business concerns. The Government reserves the right to set-aside this procurement based on responses hereto.
This is not a solicitation announcement. Therefore, a solicitation is not available. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service (NAIS). It is the potential offeror’s responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.
This sources sought synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Since this is a sources sought announcement, no evaluation letters and/or results will be issued to the respondents.
