Cryotanks, and Racking Systems

This government document is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) amendment clarifying solicitation requirements for a federal procurement of cryotanks and racking systems. It resolves several discrepancies regarding delivery details, equipment quantities, and technical specifications. Key clarifications include: - **Delivery Address:** Confirmed as 1111 South Mason Street, Fort Collins, CO 80521. - **Quantities:** Corrected the required equipment to six MVE 1842P-150AF-GB units, one MVE HECO 1879P-190AF-GB unit, and 54 (not 108) V-13-2L vertical racks. No additional canisters, boxes, or accessories are required. - **Scope of Work:** FOB-destination performance covers delivery and unloading only; agency staff will unpack and place the equipment. Additionally, the revised requirements for cryotanks and racks officially supersede previous vegetation-removal descriptions in the SAM.gov notice. - **Technical Specifications:** Designated manufacturer part number 13814943U (TEC 3000 controller) for the 1879 freezer. - **Manufacturer:** Updated the official manufacturer designation from Cryo Associates to MVE Biological Solutions.

This federal solicitation (1232SA26Q0940) is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for Cryotanks and a Racking System. Released as an unrestricted, commercial item acquisition under NAICS code 332420, the procurement seeks to award a single, firm-fixed-price contract based on a lowest-price technically acceptable (LPTA) evaluation. The USDA is requesting specific brand-name or equal equipment manufactured by Cryo Associates: MVE 1842P-150AF-GB, MVE HECO 1879P-190AF-GB, and V-13-2L Vertical Racks. Vendors proposing "equal" products must submit detailed descriptive literature demonstrating compliance with all salient characteristics. Quotes are due electronically to lynn.hults@usda.gov by July 24, 2026, at 4:00 PM CST, with questions due by July 21, 2026. Deliverables must be shipped F.O.B. Destination to Fort Collins, Colorado, within 180 days of award. The solicitation incorporates standard Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and USDA Agricultural Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) provisions. Notably, it contains specific AGAR clauses addressing strict anti-discrimination and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) certifications, as well as guidelines identifying unenforceable commercial supplier terms, such as automatic renewals and unilateral revisions. Active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is required for submission, and payments will be processed through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP.gov).

This federal solicitation (SF-1449), number 1232SA26Q0940, is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) issued by the USDA ARS SEA AAO ACQ/PER PROP in College Station, Texas. The acquisition is a 100% small business set-aside under NAICS code 332420 (Metal Tank Manufacturing), with a response deadline of July 24, 2026, at 4:00 PM CT. The purpose of this contract is to procure a cryotank and racking system for the Plant and Animal Genetic Resources unit located at the National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation (NLGRP) in Fort Collins, Colorado. The required deliverables include: - Six (6) MVE 1842P-150AF-GB fully automatic cryotanks (Item 0002) - One (1) MVE HECO 1879P-190AF-GB fully automatic cryotank (Item 0003) - 108 V-13-2L vertical racks designed for thirteen 2-inch boxes with locking rods (Item 0004) Delivery is required on a Free on Board (FOB) destination basis to Fort Collins, Colorado, within 180 days after the contract award. Lynn Hults is designated as the primary point of contact for this solicitation.

This specification document outlines a procurement request by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) for seven cryogenic freezers to support the National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation (NLGRP) in Fort Collins, Colorado. The equipment is vital for maintaining long-term, reliable liquid and vapor-phase cryogenic storage of critical agricultural, microbial, and animal genetic resources at temperatures ranging from -150°C to -190°C. The document includes a sole-source justification to standardize the procurement around the MVE brand to ensure seamless integration with NLGRP's existing infrastructure, minimize operational risks, and lower the lifetime cost of ownership. Specifically, the agency requires: - Six MVE HEco 1842P-150AF-GB fully automatic cryogenic freezers. - One MVE HEco 1879P-190AF-GB fully automatic cryogenic freezer. Both freezer types must feature stainless steel construction, double-walled vacuum insulation, a TEC 3000 controller compatible with Johnson Controls Metasys and MODBUS systems, hot gas bypass capability, and user-defined alarms. The specifications detail strict requirements for dimensions, weight, piping, electrical safety, static liquid nitrogen loss rates, and inventory storage capacities tailored to the preservation of genetic vials, canes, and straws.

This federal solicitation amendment addresses vendor questions to clarify technical specifications for cryotanks and controllers. The government agency acknowledges that listing Cryo Associates as the manufacturer was an error, confirming that the equipment is manufactured by MVE Biological Solutions. Additionally, the agency resolved discrepancies regarding conflicting freezer part numbers and controller descriptions in the original solicitation. It clarified that of the three controller options presented by the vendor—the older touchscreen generation, the CryoVerse Connect, and the TEC 3000—the third option, the TEC 3000 controller, is the required model.