Helium Reliquifiers for NMR Magnet

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), intends to award a contract to Bluefors Cryocooler Technologies, Inc. on a sole-source basis pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements, for the acquisition of Helium Reliquifiers for NMR Magnets , the Government intends to solicit and award a Purchase Order on a sole-source basis because the Government's minimum technical requirements will be satisfied by Bluefors Cryocooler Technologies, Inc.

The Solid State NMR and Biomolecular Physics Section (SSNMRBP) of the Laboratory of Chemical Physics (LCP), National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to investigate the molecular structures, motions, and interactions of biomedically relevant protein assemblies, including amyloid fibrils involved in neurodegenerative diseases, viral capsid assemblies, and proteins from nuclear pores of eukaryotic cells. NMR measurements are performed in powerful magnets. These magnets must be cooled with liquid helium to maintain high electrical currents in the superconducting materials within the magnets. Since the liquid helium in the NMR magnets continuously vaporizes ("boils off"), the liquid helium must be refilled periodically.

Prices of liquid helium have increased dramatically over the past 20 years and liquid helium deliveries are frequently unreliable due to worldwide political events and conflicts. Increased prices and unreliable delivery threatens to require that NMR magnets be shut down. This would bring research projects in SSNMRBP to a halt. Helium recycling for the NMR magnets in SSNMRBP therefore has paramount importance.

The Cryomech division of Bluefors Cryocooler Technologies, Inc. has recently developed "helium reliquifier" systems that can be attached directly to NMR magnets, allowing the NMR magnets to be operated continuously without helium refills. The helium reliquifier system recycles helium by capturing helium gas that exits from the magnet, compressing and cooling the helium gas to form liquid helium, and returning the liquid helium directly into the magnet.

Two NMR magnets are used for most research in SSNMRBP, namely a 141 kilogauss magnet in room B2A-04 of building 8 on the NIH campus in Bethesda and a 175 kilogauss magnet in room B2-33 of building 5. Each of these two magnets requires its own helium reliquifier system.

Two helium reliquifier systems are required. One system must be compatible with the dimensions of a 175 kilogauss NMR magnet manufactured by the Magnex company, located in room B2-33 of building 5 on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD. The other system must be compatible with the dimensions of a 141 kilogauss NMR magnet manufactured by Oxford Instruments, located in room B2A-04 of building 8 on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD.

Each helium reliquifier system must be capable of generating at least 3 liters per hour of liquid helium on a continual basis, using helium gas that exits the NMR magnet due to evaporation of liquid helium within the magnet.

This notice is not a request for competitive quotations. However, interested parties that believe they can meet the Government's requirements may submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to provide the required supplies and meet all specified technical and operational requirements.

The Government will consider all timely capability statements received and determine whether the acquisition should proceed as a sole-source procurement or be competed.

The Government anticipates making an award approximately five (5) calendar days after the closing date of this notice, unless the Government determines that another responsible source is capable of meeting the requirement.

Capability statements shall be submitted electronically to davisroshonna@mail.nih.gov no later than 9:00 a.m. EDT on September 25, 2026.

Please reference Notice No. 75N98026Q01223 in the subject line of the response.