NTF Liquid Nitrogen Pump 12 Critical Spare

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for one (1) NTF Liquid Nitrogen Pump 12 Critical Spare. It is a Brand Name requirement for a Cryostar LIN Transfer – MCP 400/20L-1.7-CB-WB C/0, which must be fully interchangeable with existing CS400/20L SN 96013. The procurement is set aside for small businesses.

• The primary deliverable is a specific model of Liquid Nitrogen Pump.

• The pump must be interchangeable with existing equipment.

• Detailed Statement of Work (SOW) is provided in an attachment.

• Contract type is not explicitly stated but implied to be firm-fixed-price based on clause 1852.216-78.

• Delivery is FOB Destination to NASA Langley Research Center.

• Quotes are due by June 10, 2026, 3:00 p.m. CT.

• Quotes must be submitted via email to Laura Quave at laura.a.quave@nasa.gov.

• Quotes must remain valid for 30 days.

• Offerors must provide Cage Code & UEI #, ARO delivery time/Lead Time, and any applicable shipping information.

• Discounts should be applied to the quote.

• Payment will not be made via credit card.

• Contractual and technical questions must be submitted in writing via email to Laura Quave by June 8, 2026, 12:00 p.m. CT.

• The award will be made to the responsible Offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation is the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA).

• This procurement is set aside for small business.

• Offerors must be registered at www.sam.gov.

• The document incorporates various FAR and NFS clauses by reference, including those related to System for Award Management, Duty-Free Entry, Place of Manufacture, and Export Licenses.

• Specific details for the Statement of Work are in an attachment not included in this document.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To procure a fully interchangeable critical spare for Liquid Nitrogen Pump 12 (P12), which is essential for supplying liquid nitrogen to the National Transonic Facility's high-pressure, cryogenic, closed-circuit wind tunnel.

Procure a Liquid Nitrogen Pump with identical mechanical, electrical, and controls interfaces to the existing Cryostar CS400/355/20L Pump (Serial Number 96013/02).

• Pump Type: Vertical centrifugal pump.

• Operating Conditions: Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) at -195°C, 5 barg maximum suction pressure, minimum NPSH 1.4m, 1300 gpm flow rate, 180 ft. differential head.

• Existing Pump Specifications: Single stage, 400 mm nominal impeller diameter, 355 mm trimmed impeller diameter, 20 mm tip width, 1780 rpm.

• Existing Motor Specifications: 405 TD, NEMA, 60 Hz, 3 Phase, 480V, 100 Hp.

• New Pump Specifications: LIN Transfer – MCP 400/20L-1.7-CB-WB C/0, PT100 Sensor for seal leakage detection, heating cable for thermal barrier, grease retaining chamber with N2 purge, close warm box with N2 purge, 2-chamber labyrinth seal, cold box isolation plate.

• New Motor Specifications: Electric motor LSES280SD of 75kW – 4 poles – fixed speed – 480V – 60 Hz, anticondensation heater 120V, 3xPTC in winding, 2xPT100 at Drive End bearing.

• Controls: Seal gas control panel, Labyrinth seal Low Pressure Drop control panel.

• Testing: Mechanical performance test in cryogenic conditions with LN2 on duty point.

• Documentation: IOM, Assembly checklist, and Performance test report in PDF.

• Included Items: Spare parts, Commissioning Kit for Installation and Start-up, Seaworth Packing.

• Delivery: Prior to June 30, 2027.

• Shipping Address: NASA Langley Research Center, Central Receiving, 4 South Marvin Street, Building 1206, Hampton, VA 23681-2199.

• The new pump must be fully interchangeable with the existing pump.

• Includes specific motor and control panel requirements.

• Requires mechanical performance testing in cryogenic conditions.

• Painting type C3 according to ISO 12944-2.

• Preliminary P&ID No 704206221-41 and preliminary panel drawing referenced.

Recommendation and Determination to Solicit from One Source / Brand Name

This document recommends negotiating with a single vendor (Cryostar) for a liquid nitrogen pump assembly. The justification is based on the need for a pump that is interchangeable with the existing system and the impracticality of soliciting from multiple sources.

• Acquisition of a liquid nitrogen pump assembly (Cryostar model MCP 400/20L-1.7-CB-WB C/0).

• The replacement pump must be fully interchangeable with the existing Cryostar CS400/20L SN 96013.

• The pump must maintain the same performance characteristics as the original.

• The estimated cost is to be entered (Dollar amount).

• The estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is 06/30/2027.

This document is a sole source justification, not a solicitation. Therefore, there are no proposal submission or evaluation instructions.

This is a sole source recommendation, not an open competition. The justification focuses on the unique capabilities of Cryostar as the OEM and provider of interchangeable parts.

• Cryostar is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for the current pump.
• Cryostar possesses proprietary information (trade secrets, engineering plans, tooling) necessary for proper support.
• Using a different vendor/brand would likely require significant re-engineering, facility modifications, new electrical connections, and integration with existing control systems, leading to substantial cost increases (estimated over $100k and 6 months) and potential loss of redundant pump functionality.
• The pump supports the NASA Critical Infrastructure (NCI) National Transonic Facility (NTF), and implementation issues could adversely impact multiple NASA missions.