Defense Supply Center Richmond, 8000 Jefferson Davis Highway, Richmond, VA 23297-5000

68 -- CHEMICALS & CHEMICAL PRODUCTS SOL sp0450-98-r-2222 DUE 091098 POC R. Kirkland -- (804) 279-4188 DSCR is comtemplating the release of a solicitation for industrial gases via Prime Vendor support of multiple Department of Defense (DoD) facilities within the confines of the continental United States. Prime vendor support entails delivery of industrial gases to as many DoD locations as is economically feasible, upon receipt of customer orders within select delivery timeframes. DSCR comtemplates awarding a one year requirements or indefinite quantity type contract with 4 one year options, formal source selection (best value) method for vendor selection. The comtemplated contract will require direct vendor delivery (i.e., commodity is sent directly from a vendor to the requestor in a "just-in-time" environment) of gases contained within Federal Stock Class (FSC) 6830. The contract will cover a full range of industrial gases to include but not limited to acetylene, argon, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen (gaseous and cryogenic liquid), technical oxygen, compressed air (breathing), sulfur hexafluoride,butane, propane, butane-propane mixture, and helium. Required delivery is 48 -- 72 hours after receipt of requisition from the customer/user. Orders will be placed eletronically by the customer using the Paperless Ordering Placement System (POPS). The objective is to improve customer service, reduce costs and streamline operations by adopting stricitly commercial practices and eliminating government furnished property (cylinders) from the process. The following information is requested to determine industry interest in and the feasibility of such a Prime Vendor arrangement: 1) Interest in providing Prime Vendor support to the DOD under such an arrangement. If such as arrangement does not interest your firm, why not? 2) Ability to provide direct vendor delivery support within 48-72 hours after placement of orders. If the time frames as stated are not feasible, what time frames are you currently using to support your commercial customers? 3) Do you have a nationwide distribution system, and if not, how do you plan to provide service to major DoD locations nationwide? 4) Are there additional like products which you would recommend including in this proposed contract? 5) Is the list of products to be included in this effort too extensive to be included under a single, Prime Vendor, DVD contract? If so, how would you suggest grouping the items for possible multiple Prime Vendor contracts? 6) Any other comments/questions, particularly limitations concerning this proposed contract action. Additional information concerning this proposed contract, including identification of potential customers, can be obtained by contacting Richard Kirkland/DSCR-JD at (804) 279-4188, e-mail at rkirkland@dscr.dla.mil, or mail to DSCR-JD (R. Kirkland), 8000 Jefferson Davis Highway, Richmond, VA 23297. Written or electronic mail responses to this request for information may be submitted to Richard Kirkland at the above address by September 10, 1998. Posted 08/14/98 (W-SN237135). (0226)

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