IDIQ CONTRACT FOR ASSORTED COMPRESSED GASES AND CYLINDERS

A market survey is being conducted to determine if there are adequate Small Business, SBA‑certified HUBZone, SBA‑certified 8(a), Women‑Owned, or Service‑Disabled Veteran‑Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) contractors available for a proposed project who meet the specific criteria outlined below. This is not a solicitation announcement or Request for Proposal. It does not constitute any commitment by the Government. No award will result from this notice. The purpose is to conduct market research to gain knowledge of potentially qualified sources.

Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make an appropriate acquisition decision. The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will not award a contract on the basis of responses or pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice. After completing an analysis of the responses, the Government will determine whether to limit competition to 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, Women‑Owned, or other small business firms, or to proceed with issuing an unrestricted solicitation.

The anticipated NAICS code is 325120 – Industrial Gas Manufacturing with a size standard of 1,200 employees.

Companies who have the experience, as well as an interest in doing business with ARS, should submit a Capabilities Statement which, for this notice, is not a proposal, but rather short statements regarding the company’s ability to demonstrate their expertise and experience in relation to the areas specified in this notice. Companies should also indicate whether they are a Small Business, SBA‑certified HUBZone, SBA‑certified 8(a), SDVOSB, or Women‑Owned Small Business.

Responses should be submitted by 5:00 PM CDT on May 1, 2026, to the attention of Kerrie Hodges at kerrie.hodges@usda.gov.

SECTION: Additional RFI Questions – Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) for Gas Commodities

The Government is evaluating appropriate economic price adjustment mechanisms for gas commodities under any future solicitation. Because this requirement involves gases subject to market volatility, ARS requests industry feedback on the questions below. These questions relate only to gas product pricing (not labor).

A. EPA Based on Established Increase/Decrease Limits

1. Does your company utilize EPA terms based on pre‑set maximum or minimum adjustment thresholds (percentage or dollar‑based) for industrial gases?
2. If yes:
   • What annual increase/decrease limits do you consider reasonable for gas commodities?
   • What historical or market‑based data supports these limits?

B. EPA Based on Published Price Indexes

1. If your company uses published indexes to support EPA adjustments, please identify which indexes apply. Examples include, but are not limited to:
   • Producer Price Index (PPI) categories related to industrial gases (e.g., Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Helium, etc.).
2. For each index recommended:
   • Provide the index name, issuing agency, update frequency, and a URL (if available).
   • Describe how your company applies the index to price adjustments.

C. EPA Method Administration Practices

1. What is your standard EPA adjustment frequency (annual, semiannual, quarterly)?
2. What documentation does your company typically require or provide to support price adjustments?
3. Are specialty gases or custom gas mixtures priced differently or excluded from EPA adjustments?

D. Regulatory Considerations under the FAR Rewrite (RFO) and AGAR

1. Do you anticipate any changes in your internal pricing or EPA methodology due to upcoming revisions in FAR (RFO) and AGAR formatting or structure?
2. What recommendations do you have for implementing an EPA clause consistent with current industry practices?

E. Delivery and Supply Chain Price Impacts (Optional Feedback)

1. How do supply chain issues (transportation surcharges, cylinder shortages, fuel fluctuations) affect your gas pricing models?
2. What EPA structures best account for these cost drivers?

Submission Instructions

Provide responses to the EPA questions above along with your Capabilities Statement. Vendor feedback will assist ARS in determining the most appropriate pricing structure and acquisition strategy for gas cylinder supply.

Responses must be submitted electronically to kerrie.hodges@usda.gov by the date listed above.