Notice of Intent to Sole Source Liquid Helium Supply and Liquid Helium Pump Lease for NASA/KSC

NASA/KSC has a requirement for the continued use of a single LHe pump and support services for the Converter Compressor Facility (CCF) at KSC through the continued lease of the contractor owned and proprietary LHe pump. The single pump currently supports the KSC/Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) gaseous helium (GHe) pipeline that runs throughout the Spaceport and is critical in supporting all current launch activities.

The required period of performance extension will commence on October 1, 2025, and end on September 30, 2026, consisting of a base period of four months, one two-month option period, and five one-month option periods. NASA/KSC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the services from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APCI). Per FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1).

The Government intends to acquire a commercial product or service using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Kristal Kerr at Kristal.Kerr@nasa.gov not later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on September 30, 2025. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis.

A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf