Request For Proposal (RFP) for NASA Agency-wide Supply of Liquid and Gaseous Helium

UPDATE 10/20/2026

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) John F. Kennedy Space Center is pleased to release the 2027 NASA Agency-wide Supply of Liquid and Gaseous Helium opt-in opportunity as described in the original Helium Request for Proposal (RFP), Sections 2.10, IDIQ CLIN Pool Opt-in, and 2.10.1, IDIQ CLIN Pool Opt-in After Award.

The Helium RFP was issued on December 21, 2024, and the original solicitation (as revised) remains open throughout the ordering period through the use of innovative provisions as prescribed in Section 2.10.1, IDIQ CLIN Pool Opt-in After Award. The Helium contract's ordering period remains valid through September 30, 2030.

The RFP has resulted in the award of four fixed-price indefinite delivery (ID) requirements contracts to supply liquid and gaseous helium in support of operations at agency centers and facilities across the United States.  Awards were made to the following companies: Airgas USA LLC (South), Airgas USA LLC (West), Linde, Inc., and Messer LLC. 

Each year during the life of the solicitation and at the time established via synopsis, the Government will accept proposals from new entrants for each IDIQ subCLIN location and the Government will also accept proposals from existing helium contractors for each additional IDIQ subCLIN location.  A new entrant is a company that does not currently hold a NASA liquid and gaseous helium contract. 

The Government will evaluate the proposals to determine technical acceptability for a specific NASA location. Upon the Government's determination of technical acceptability, a contract (for new entrants) or contract modification (for existing helium Contractors) will be executed to add the Contractor to the IDIQ CLIN Pool for the specific NASA location.  Thereafter, the Contractor will be eligible to participate in the IDIQ CLIN Pool process described in Section 2.10 for the NASA locations awarded to that Contractor.  All eligible Contractors who are awarded an IDIQ subCLIN for a particular NASA location will have the option to compete for requirements within those IDIQ subCLINs which they are awarded.

The commodities will support current and future aerospace flight, simulation, research, development, testing, and other operations at the following NASA centers and facilities:

Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF) locations (Palestine, TX, Ft Sumner, NM, Port Hueneme, CA, and Burns, OR);

Glenn Research Center (GRC), Cleveland, OH 44135;

GRC Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility (GRC-ATF), Sandusky, OH 44870;

Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, MD 20771;

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, CA 91109;

Johnson Space Center (JSC), Houston, TX 77058;

Kennedy Space Center (KSC - including Cape Canaveral Space Force Station - CCSFS);

Langley Research Center (LaRC), Hampton, VA 23666;

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, AL, 35812;

Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), New Orleans, LA 70129;

Stennis Space Center (SSC), Stennis Space Center, MS, 39529;

White Sands Test Facility (WSTF), Las Cruces, NM 88012;

and other such places of performance as required in this contract.

Submission information:

1.   Opt-in by a Current Helium Contractor.  A current Helium Contractor shall submit Attachment 2.1 Capability Form for each proposed IDIQ subCLIN location.  The Government will evaluate the capability form to determine technical acceptability in accordance with the weekly maximums for a subCLIN location in contract Section 2.1.1 Schedule of Supplies Table for Gaseous and Liquid Helium - Requirements.  If the Contractor is determined technically acceptable, award will be made for the subCLIN(s).

2.   Opt-in by New Entrant.  The new entrant shall submit an Attachment 2.1 Capability Form for each proposed IDIQ subCLIN location. The Government will evaluate the capability form to determine technical acceptability in accordance with the weekly maximums for a subCLIN location in contract Section 2.1.1 Schedule of Supplies Table for Gaseous and Liquid Helium - Requirements. Once determined acceptable from a technical standpoint, award will be made for the subCLIN(s).  New entrants will be required to comply with provisions in Section 5 of the RFP and all terms and conditions of the resulting contract.

3.   All questions regarding this opt-in notice shall be submitted in writing via email to Hillary Heard at hillary.p.heard@nasa.gov, and Shana Thompson at shana.d.thompson@nasa.gov. The Government will not answer oral questions due to the possibility of misunderstanding or misinterpretation.  The Offeror shall submit all questions, if any, no later than November 4, 2026, to allow for analysis and dissemination of responses in advance of the proposal due date. The Government will not guarantee a response to late questions.  Questions shall not be directed to the technical activity personnel.

4.   It is requested that any interested party notify the helium Contracting Officers via email no later than November 4, 2026, of your intent to submit a proposal during this opt-in period as well as the name(s) of which NASA Center(s) you intend to propose. Please send your notice of intent to propose to Hillary Heard at hillary.p.heard@nasa.gov, and Shana Thompson at shana.d.thompson@nasa.gov.

5.   All offers shall be sent to Hillary Heard at hillary.p.heard@nasa.gov, and Shana Thompson at shana.d.thompson@nasa.gov by November 20, 2026, by 4:30PM EST. Late submissions will be handled in accordance with FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, paragraph (f).   

6.  NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition is Marcus Orr, Acting Deputy Procurement Officer at marcus.c.orr@nasa.gov.

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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.

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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. 

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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.