The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) John F. Kennedy Space Center is pleased to release the NASA Agency-wide Acquisition of Nitrogen and Oxygen (NANO) 4 opt-in opportunity as described in the original NANO 4 Request for Proposal (RFP), Sections 2.9, IDIQ CLIN Pool Opt-in, and 2.9.2, IDIQ CLIN Pool Opt-in After Award.
Original NANO 4 RFP link: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/4f44f4dc51a24f9ea6f9dc74c724e3cd/view (copy and paste the link into web browser)
The NANO 4 RFP was issued on March 4, 2024, and the original solicitation (as revised) remains open throughout the ordering period through the use of innovative provisions as prescribed in Section 2, Clause 2.9, IDIQ CLIN Pool Opt-in, and Clause 2.9.1, IDIQ CLIN Pool Opt-in After Award. The NANO 4 contract's ordering period remains valid through June 30, 2029.
The RFP has resulted in the award of six Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) task order contracts to supply liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen in support of operations at agency centers and facilities across the United States. Awards were made to the following companies: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Airgas USA LLC (South), Airgas USA LLC (Central), Linde, Inc., Matheson Tri-gas, Inc., and Messer LLC.
Each year during the life of the solicitation and at the time established via synopsis, the Government will accept proposals from new entrants for each IDIQ subCLIN(s) location and the Government will also accept proposals from existing NANO 4 contractors for each additional IDIQ subCLIN(s) location. A new entrant is a company that has not held a NASA liquid nitrogen or liquid oxygen contract. The Government will evaluate the proposals to determine technical acceptability for a specific NASA location. Upon the Government's determination of technical acceptability, a contract (for new entrants) or contract modification (for existing NANO 4 Contractors) will be executed to add the Contractor to the IDIQ CLIN Pool for the specific NASA location. Thereafter, the Contractor will be eligible to participate in the IDIQ CLIN Pool process described in Section 2.8 for the NASA locations awarded to that Contractor. All eligible Contractors who are awarded an IDIQ subCLIN for a particular NASA location will have the option to compete for requirements within those IDIQ subCLINs which they are awarded.
The commodities will support current and future aerospace flight, simulation, research, development, testing, and other operations at the following NASA centers and facilities:
Ames Research Center (ARC) in Moffett Field, CA 94035;
Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, OH 44135;
Neil Armstrong Test Facility (ATF) in Sandusky, OH 44870;
Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD 20771;
Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, AL, 35812;
Stennis Space Center (SSC) in Stennis Space Center, MS, 39529;
and other such places of performance as required in this contract.
Submission information:
1. A. Opt-in by a Current NANO-4 Contractor. A current NANO-4 Contractor shall submit Attachment 2.1 Capability Form for each IDIQ subCLIN(s) location. The Government will evaluate the capability form to determine technical acceptability in accordance with the weekly maximums for a subCLIN location in contract Section 2.1.1 Schedule of Supplies Table for Liquid Nitrogen and Liquid Oxygen Requirements. If the Contractor is determined technically acceptable, award will be made for the subCLIN(s).
B. Opt-in by New Entrant. The new entrant shall submit an Attachment 2.1 Capability Form for each IDIQ subCLIN(s) location. The Government will evaluate the capability form to determine technical acceptability in accordance with the weekly maximums for a subCLIN location in contract Section 2.1.1 Schedule of Supplies Table for Liquid Nitrogen and Liquid Oxygen Requirements. Once determined acceptable from a technical standpoint, award will be made for the subCLIN(s). New entrants will be required to comply with provisions in Section 5 of the RFP and all terms and conditions of the resulting contract.
2. All questions regarding this opt-in notice shall be submitted in writing via email to Kristal Kerr at kristal.kerr@nasa.gov, and Justin Ko at justin.j.ko@nasa.gov. The Government will not answer oral questions due to the possibility of misunderstanding or misinterpretation. The Offeror shall submit all questions, if any, no later than September 17, 2025, to allow for analysis and dissemination of responses in advance of the proposal due date. The Government will not guarantee a response to late questions. Questions shall not be directed to the technical activity personnel.
3. All offers shall be sent to Kristal Kerr at kristal.kerr@nasa.gov, and Justin Ko at justin.j.ko@nasa.gov by October 3, 2025. Late submissions will be handled in accordance with FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, paragraph (f).
4. It is requested that any interested party notify the NANO 4 Contracting Officers via email no later than October 3, 2025, of your intent to submit a proposal during this opt-in period as well as the name(s) of which NASA Center(s) you intend to propose. Please send your notice of intent to propose to Kristal Kerr at kristal.kerr@nasa.gov, and Justin Ko at justin.j.ko@nasa.gov.
5. An ombudsman has been appointed in accordance with NFS 1852.215-84.
Background
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) John F. Kennedy Space Center is initiating the NASA Agency-wide Acquisition of Nitrogen and Oxygen (NANO) 4 opt-in opportunity as part of their ongoing mission to support aerospace operations.
The NANO 4 contract aims to provide liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen to various NASA centers and facilities across the United States, ensuring that they have the necessary resources for current and future aerospace flight, simulation, research, development, testing, and other operations. The contract was originally issued on March 4, 2024, and remains open for proposals throughout its ordering period until June 30, 2029.
Work Details
The NANO 4 contract involves the supply of liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen through Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) task order contracts. The awarded companies include Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Airgas USA LLC (South), Airgas USA LLC (Central), Linde, Inc., Matheson Tri-gas, Inc., and Messer LLC.
Each year during the life of the solicitation, proposals will be accepted from new entrants as well as existing contractors for specific IDIQ subCLIN(s) locations. The commodities will support operations at various NASA centers including:
- Ames Research Center (ARC) in Moffett Field, CA 94035
- Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, OH 44135
- Neil Armstrong Test Facility (ATF) in Sandusky, OH 44870
- Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD 20771
- Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, AL 35812
- Stennis Space Center (SSC) in Stennis Space Center, MS 39529;
and potentially other locations as required.
Period of Performance
The ordering period for the NANO 4 contract is valid through June 30, 2029.
Place of Performance
The products will be delivered to various NASA centers across the United States including but not limited to California, Ohio, Maryland, Alabama, and Mississippi.
