BULK HELIUM TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

The Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Aerospace Energy Business Unit is seeking information with regards to existing industry capability to provide transportation services utilizing Contractor-furnished tube trailers and/or ISO-containers for the delivery of bulk gaseous helium to customer locations throughout the Continental United States (CONUS). Existing industry capabilities would encompass the prospective contractor supplying under a Government/DoD contract, all the labor, management including scheduling of shipments, and equipment necessary for the shipment in Contractor-furnished tube trailers and/or ISO-containers of bulk gaseous helium in one grade – 99.995% minimum purity. The required trailers must meet DOT State and Federal inspection standards and the 49 CFR five-year testing for delivery/storage of bulk helium. The product will be contracted for by DESC under a separate commodity contract and as such, the transportation services provider would be required to pick up the bulk gaseous helium at the DESC commodity supplier’s transfill location and deliver the product in their Contractor-furnished containers, either tube trailers and/or ISO-containers to approximately twenty-seven (27) DESC customers dispersed throughout CONUS. DESC currently utilizes 52 tube bank trailers and 16 ISO-containers to fulfill current customer requirements. Contractor must be registered with the Freight Carrier Registration Program (FCRP) IAW DOD Defense Transportation Regulation (DTR) 4500.9-R; and maintain a rating of satisfactory as assigned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) under Title 49, Code of Federal Regulation (49 CFR). The Contractor shall assume all liability associated with the transportation of the bulk helium and must comply with 49 CFR Section 387 Minimum Levels of Financial Responsibility for Motor Carriers. The Government is considering several business approaches relative to the delivery of bulk helium. This requirement represents only one of these options. The approach that is in the best interest of the Government will be chosen utilizing a business case analysis built primarily around price. Hence the Government reserves the right not to award a contract under this requirement if another business approach is more favorable to the Government. Interested sources should forward, via email to the Contracting Officer, answers to the following questions not later than 30 April 2009: (1) Have you performed the type of services referenced above in the past? (2) If yes, provide the timeframe work was performed and the estimated dollar value of the contract. (3) Were these services performed for the Government? (4) How many certified trailers or ISO-containers capable of transporting bulk helium does your company have access to? Or how will they be obtained? (5) Do your personnel and equipment possess the necessary certifications described above? (6) What is your business size/category: Large Business, Small Business, Woman-Owned, Disadvantaged, HubZone (state all that apply).