Solicitation
Request For Proposal (RFP) for NASA Agency-wide Supply of Liquid and Gaseous Helium
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
AI summaryNASA's Kennedy Space Center is taking yearly opt-in proposals for its agency-wide liquid and gaseous helium supply contract (fixed-price, indefinite delivery). New companies and the four current helium contractors can apply to join a pool of approved suppliers for chosen NASA locations. The response due date is Nov 20, 2026, 4:30 PM Eastern on SAM.gov, but the notice text says November 20, 2026, 4:30PM EST. More in the summary
A newer version of this notice was posted Oct 20, 2026. It moves the due date from Nov 20, 2026 to Nov 19, 2026, which is the date shown on this page. See the latest version.
AI summary Beta
Summary of another version of this notice: check what changed on SAM.gov. This summary may miss requirements: 6 of 15 attachments weren't read (80KSC024R0010 Amendment 0001.pdf, Attachment 6 Price Proposal Template 80KSC024R0010 Revision 0001.xlsx and 4 more). Check the attachments on SAM.gov.
NASA's Kennedy Space Center is taking yearly opt-in proposals for its agency-wide liquid and gaseous helium supply contract (fixed-price, indefinite delivery). New companies and the four current helium contractors can apply to join a pool of approved suppliers for chosen NASA locations. The response due date is Nov 20, 2026, 4:30 PM Eastern on SAM.gov, but the notice text says November 20, 2026, 4:30PM EST.
Who can bid (4)
- Open to new entrants (companies that do not hold a NASA liquid and gaseous helium contract) and to existing helium contractors adding locations. No set-aside is stated on SAM.gov.
- Production facility and distribution (trucks, tanker trailers, drivers) must meet or exceed the weekly maximums for each location you propose, as listed in Section 2.1.1.
- A CAGE code that matches the corporate address submitted with the proposal.
Show all 4Show fewer
- Gaseous helium must meet Grade A under military specification MIL-PRF-27407E.
How to submit: Email to Hillary Heard (hillary.p.heard@nasa.gov) and Shana Thompson (shana.d.thompson@nasa.gov), due November 20, 2026, 4:30 PM EST per the notice text (SAM.gov lists November 19, 2026, 4:30 PM Eastern). What to include is under Full summary below. Check the solicitation's instructions on SAM.gov.
Things to watch (7)
From the version posted Oct 20, 2026.
- Serious: Response due date differs: Nov 20 vs November 20, 2026. SAM.gov shows November 19, 2026, 4:30 PM Eastern, while the notice text says offers are due November 20, 2026, 4:30PM EST. Ask the contracting officers which governs, and plan for the earlier date.
- Serious: Production and fleet must meet each location's weekly maximums. Pass/fail check of your plant, storage, trucks, trailers and drivers against the weekly maximums for each NASA location. A business without that capacity for a location cannot be added to its pool.
- Worth checking: Joining the pool does not guarantee orders. The only minimum guarantee is the annual site inspection. Orders reach pool members only when a main contractor defaults, fails to deliver, or orders pass the ordering maximums, and then the lowest price wins.
Show all 7Show fewer
- Worth checking: You supply the delivery equipment. Contractors provide dewars, trailers and tankers, and some sites need special trailers (10 to 13 tubes) or ISO containers. Buying or leasing equipment is a large cost for a new entrant.
- Worth checking: Four current helium contractors already hold awards. Airgas USA LLC (South), Airgas USA LLC (West), Linde, Inc. and Messer LLC already supply NASA and may add locations through this same opt-in.
- Worth checking: Drivers must be U.S. citizens and badged. Every person entering a NASA site must be badged, and drivers must be U.S. citizens. Staff your fleet to meet this.
- Minor: Annual site inspection at each center. Each center you opt in for needs an inspection trip within 45 calendar days after the start of the contract year, paid at $2,000 per center inspected.
Read from the notice and 9 attachments. 6 of 15 not read. Show which files.
- 80KSC024R0010 Questions and Responses to RFP January 31 2025.pdf (read)
- 80KSC024R0010 Questions and Responses to RFP.pdf (read)
- Draft RFP Questions and Responses.pdf (read)
- Solicitation 80KSC024R0010.pdf (read)
- 80KSC024R0010 Amendment 0002.pdf (read)
- Attachment 1 Statement of Work 80KSC024R0010.pdf (read)
- Cover Letter.pdf (read)
- Attachment 5 - Reserved.pdf (read)
- Attachment 2 Capability Form 80KSC024R0010.pdf (read)
- 80KSC024R0010 Amendment 0001.pdf: not summarized: open it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 6 Price Proposal Template 80KSC024R0010 Revision 0001.xlsx: not read (the AI doesn't read this file type yet): open it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 4 Government Furnished Property 80KSC024R0010.pdf: not summarized: open it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 6 Price Proposal Template 80KSC024R0010.xlsx: not read (the AI doesn't read this file type yet): open it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 2.1 Capability Form Opt-In 2027 EDPC VERSION.pdf: not summarized: open it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 2.1 Capability Form 80KSC024R0010.pdf: not summarized: open it on SAM.gov
Full summary
What they want
- Apply to join the pool of approved helium suppliers (the indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract line item number (CLIN) pool) for one or more NASA locations, with one capability form per location.
- If approved, a new company gets a contract and a current helium contractor gets a contract change (a modification) adding the location.
- Supply liquid and gaseous helium to NASA centers by trailer, tanker, dewar (insulated container for liquid helium) or ISO container. Gaseous helium must be Grade A under military specification MIL-PRF-27407E.
- Compete on price when a request for proposals is emailed to the pool for a location, for example when the main contractor can't deliver or orders go past the ordering maximums. The lowest price wins.
- Do an annual site inspection at each NASA center you opt in for, within 45 calendar days after the start of the contract year. The payment is $2,000 per center inspected.
- Supply your own delivery equipment and drivers. Drivers must be badged for NASA sites and be U.S. citizens. Most sites also take emergency deliveries 24 hours a day, with an extra emergency delivery charge.
- Some sites have special needs, such as 10 to 13 tube trailers at balloon sites and ISO containers for the Antarctic shipment from Port Hueneme, CA.
- Contract type
- Fixed-price indefinite delivery requirements contracts with firm-fixed-price delivery orders. New companies join the IDIQ CLIN pool by location.
- Period of performance
- Ordering period runs through September 30, 2030: base period October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2027, then three one-year option periods.
- Place of performance
- Deliveries to NASA centers and facilities across the United States, including Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility sites (Palestine, TX; Ft Sumner, NM; Port Hueneme, CA; Burns, OR), Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Johnson Space Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, Michoud Assembly Facility, Stennis Space Center and White Sands Test Facility. SAM.gov lists Orlando, FL.
- Estimated value
- Not stated
- Contract vehicle
- NASA agency-wide helium contract under RFP 80KSC024R0010; opt-in to the IDIQ CLIN pool by NASA location
- How they'll choose
- Pass/fail technical acceptability of the Attachment 2.1 Capability Form for each location. Later orders are competed among pool members for that location and go to the lowest price.
- Offers due
- November 20, 2026, 4:30 PM EST per the notice text (SAM.gov lists November 19, 2026, 4:30 PM Eastern)
- How to submit
- Email to Hillary Heard (hillary.p.heard@nasa.gov) and Shana Thompson (shana.d.thompson@nasa.gov)
What they'll judge offers on
- Technical acceptability (pass/fail): production facility information (fixed storage, daily and monthly production) must meet or exceed the weekly maximums for the location in Section 2.1.1
- Distribution capability: number of trucks, tanker trailers, their capacity and number of drivers must meet or exceed the same weekly maximums
What to include when you submit
- Send one Attachment 2.1 Capability Form for each NASA location (IDIQ subCLIN) you propose. Name only one location in block 2 of each form.
- Complete blocks 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 and all parts of blocks 10, 11 and 12 on each capability form.
- If your transfill facility (where product is moved into delivery containers) is the same as your production facility, copy block 10 into block 11 or write "Same as Primary Production Facility".
- Send written questions by email to the same two contacts by November 4, 2026. Oral questions are not answered, and questions must not go to technical activity personnel.
- NASA asks interested parties to email notice of intent to propose, naming the NASA centers, by November 4, 2026.
- New companies must follow Section 5 of the RFP (solicitation provisions) and all contract terms. Complete representations and certifications in SAM.gov.
- The capability form must have a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code that matches the corporate address you submit.
After award, you must have
- Drivers and other personnel entering NASA sites must be badged under Personal Identity Verification (PIV) rules, and drivers must be U.S. citizens. Details are listed in each delivery order. From Attachment 1 Statement of Work 80KSC024R0010.pdf:
All personnel entering NASA locations must be badged for access…
- Annual site inspection at each NASA center you opt in for, at the start of each contract year. From Solicitation 80KSC024R0010.pdf:
…perform an annual site inspection at the beginning of each contract year…
Current contractor
Four current helium contractors are named: Airgas USA LLC (South), Airgas USA LLC (West), Linde, Inc. and Messer LLC. The RFP was issued December 21, 2024, and this is the yearly opt-in under it.
Not in the notice text
- Attached but not read: Amendment 0001, Attachment 2.1 Capability Form (including the Opt-In 2027 version), Attachment 4 Government Furnished Property, and both Attachment 6 price templates. The middle of the Solicitation and Statement of Work files was also left out. Check them on SAM.gov.
- The capability form to use for this opt-in is the Opt-In 2027 version, which was not read. Its exact blocks and weekly maximums for each location should be confirmed on SAM.gov.
- The original RFP told offerors to upload proposals to NASA's file-sharing box. The notice says to email offers instead. Confirm the method with the contracting officers.
- Which locations are open this year is not listed in the text read. The original schedule lists subCLINs only for tanker and trailer locations, and GRC subCLINs 23.9 and 23.10 are shown as Reserved.
- The notice does not say how many new companies NASA expects to add, or when it will make decisions.
Eligibility and how to respond
- No set-aside: any business, large or small, can bid unless the notice says otherwise.
- How to submit, from the AI summary: Email to Hillary Heard (hillary.p.heard@nasa.gov) and Shana Thompson (shana.d.thompson@nasa.gov). Check it in the notice before you send anything.
Notice details
- Posted
- Oct 20, 2026
- Notice type
- Solicitation
- Office
- NASA Kennedy Space Center, FL
- Product/service code
- 9135 · Liquid Propellant Fuels and Oxidizers, Chemical Base
- Business type
- Manufactured parts & equipment (FedReady's grouping, from NAICS 325120)
- Versions
5 versions have been posted, newest first.
- Oct 20, 2026 · AmendmentDue Nov 19, 2026 (changed)
- Oct 20, 2026 · Amendment 0002 (this version)Due Nov 20, 2026 (changed)
- Jan 31, 2025 · AmendmentDue Feb 12, 2025
- Jan 29, 2025 · AmendmentDue Feb 12, 2025 (changed)
- Dec 20, 2024 · SolicitationDue Feb 3, 2025
- Attachments
Past awards and competition
Who has won work like this before, the likely incumbent, and what similar contracts paid, from USAspending.gov.
Before you respond
- How to respond to a solicitation (8 steps)
- How to read a government solicitation
- How to price a government contract
Terms on this notice: Solicitation
Latest amendment note (Amendment 2) from SAM.gov
Amendment 0002. See attached 80KSC024R0010 Amendment 0002 minor updates to Terms and Conditions and Attachment 1 SOWs. Also attached, with minor updates is Attachment 6 Price Proposal Template replaced in its entirety as Revision 0001. See Questions and Responses to RFP dated January 31, 2025. ********************************************************************************************** Amendment 0001. See attached 80KSC024R0010 Amendment 0001 which updates the proposal due date, Attachment 1 SOWs and Attachment 2 and 2.1 Capability Forms. Also attached is the Questions and Responses to RFP document. ********************************************************************************************** The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is pleased to issue Request for Proposal (RFP) 80KSC024R0010 for the NASA Agency-wide supply of Gaseous and Liquid Helium acquisition. Previous notices regarding this acquisition are: Sources Sought Notice NNK24ZOS1L and 80KSC024R0010 - Draft Request For Proposal (DRFP) for NASA Agency-wide Supply of Liquid and Gaseous Helium.
Similar open opportunities
- Request For Proposal (RFP) NASA Agency-wide Acquisition of Nitrogen and Oxygen 4 (NANO 4)NASA Kennedy Space Center is running the 2027 yearly opt-in for NANO 4, a set of contracts for bulk liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen delivered to NASA centers across the U.S.…
- VISN 2 Prosthetics Downstate Home Oxygen ServicesThe VA's New York/New Jersey health network (VISN 2) wants a contractor to provide home oxygen and related respiratory services to Veterans in the Bronx, Hudson Valley, New…
- Hydrogen, Reactor GRThe Navy (NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg) is seeking proposals for an item titled HYDROGEN,REACTOR GR, a nuclear-program part built to Government drawings and an…
- Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport, WashingtonDefense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy wants a contractor to deliver Grade B liquid nitrogen to Keyport, Washington (Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport), into a…
- Bulk Propane Delivery Services - Howard Hanson Dam and Mud Mountain Dam, WashingtonThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Seattle District, is doing market research for bulk propane delivery to Howard Hanson Dam (Ravensdale, Washington) and Mud Mountain Dam…