Bid guide
How to bid on Bulk Liquid Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide Refill Services for NCI
What the NCI is buying and why it matters
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) needs uninterrupted bulk liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide refill and delivery services for its laboratory facilities in Bethesda, Maryland. These gases are critical for ongoing scientific activities, including cryogenic storage of biological materials and operation of laboratory equipment like incubators.
The proposed service period is from October 15, 2026, through October 14, 2027. This is a notice of intent for a sole-source award to Roberts Oxygen Company, Inc., not a request for competitive quotes. However, other capable organizations can submit a statement of capability.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
The deadline for submitting a statement of capability is August 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST. Any responses received after this date and time will not be considered.
This is the only notice of the Government's intent to award to one source. The Government plans to award a firm-fixed-price purchase order within 7 days of this notice.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is for firms that can provide bulk liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide refill and delivery services. The NCI has identified Roberts Oxygen Company, Inc. as the only source reasonably available to meet its immediate requirement without unacceptable disruption and risk to ongoing laboratory operations.
The NCI states that transitioning to another supplier would require significant effort and could create a period of unreliable gas service, which is unacceptable for their ongoing research activities. Therefore, this notice is primarily for organizations that believe they can provide these services without such disruption and risk.
How to respond
To access the original source of this opportunity, click “View original source” on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view documents, though this is not always required.
If your organization believes it can provide the required services, you should submit a capability statement via email to Linda Smith at [email protected]. The statement must be sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine your organization's qualifications to perform the work. You can also contact Jessica Emerson at [email protected] for additional information.
Tips for preparing a competitive response
Even though this is a notice of intent for a sole-source award, a strong capability statement is crucial if you believe your firm can meet the NCI's needs. Clearly demonstrate your ability to provide uninterrupted bulk liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide refill and delivery services.
Highlight your experience with similar laboratory facilities, especially regarding existing bulk storage equipment, delivery locations, site-access requirements, and safety procedures. Emphasize how your services would avoid any disruption or risk to NCI's ongoing laboratory operations, addressing the NCI's stated concerns about transitioning suppliers. Provide concrete examples of your firm's reliability and capacity to ensure a continuous supply of gases.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from National Institutes of Health; the original posting controls.