NASA/KSC has a requirement for Anhydrous Ammonia. NASA grade Ammonia is required to support Shuttle coolant loops and International Space Station’s space – radiator system at Kennedy Space Center, FL. The ammonia shall be stored and transported in 150 lb capacity compressed gas cylinders supplied by Kennedy Space Center. The quantity of ammonia required is 35 cylinders with 150 +/- 10 pounds net in each cylinder. NASA grade Ammonia shall meet the requirements in table 1. (These requirements are also attached to this 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
NASA/KSC intends to procure this requirement from Matheson Tri-Gas as the sole certified source of the NASA grade Anhydrous Ammonia requirement. Testing and certifying additional sources is estimated at a cost of $250K. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications with particular attention to the stringent chemical properties of the commodity, in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:00 p.m. local time on 20 Jan 09.
Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.
Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.
An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B". Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.
