Air Gases
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), through the Naval Special Warfare Command, is conducting market research (Sources Sought) to identify qualified vendors capable of providing Air Gases in Virginia Beach, VA. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside opportunity. The purpose is to gather information for future procurement actions related to the supply, refilling, and maintenance of various compressed gases. Responses are due by May 6, 2026.
Scope of Work
The anticipated requirement includes the procurement, refilling, and maintenance of specific compressed gases, adhering to military and commercial specifications. Key gases include:
- Aviator’s Breathing Oxygen (MIL-PRF-27210J)
- Helium Oxygen Mix (MIL-PRF-27407E & MIL-PRF-27210J)
- Nitrogen (A-A-59155)
- Argon (MIL-DTL-18455D)
- Acetylene Technical Grade (BB-A-106E)
- Geotech Mixed Calibration Gas
- TVA Mixed Calibration Gas
- Hydrogen (Ultra-High Purity Grade)
- Nitrox Mixed 60/40 and 50/50
Vendors must be capable of providing gas refills to specified standards, all necessary certification paperwork, and ensuring a one-week turnaround time for refilling and delivery (including pickup of empty containers and return of filled ones). Additionally, vendors are responsible for the maintenance and testing of compressed gas cylinders, maintaining 16 specific cylinders at the Portsmouth facility for swap purposes, and disposing of condemned cylinders according to regulations.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
- Response Due: May 6, 2026, by 10:00 AM ET
- Published: April 2, 2026
- NAICS: 325120 (Industrial Gas Manufacturing)
Response Instructions
Interested parties must submit a capabilities statement including:
- Company name, address, and contact information.
- UEI number and CAGE code.
- Confirmation of small business status under NAICS 325120.
- Responses to nine specific questions covering experience, certifications, turnaround time, cylinder maintenance procedures, logistics plan, cylinder policy (Government-owned vs. vendor-owned), facilities capacity (especially for Portsmouth), disposal procedures, and customer support.
Responses should be emailed to Emily.lonigro@socom.mil.
Additional Notes
This is a sources sought announcement for market research purposes only and is not a request for proposal or a commitment by the Government to award a contract. Information provided will be treated as Business Sensitive or Confidential and is exempt from public release under FOIA. The Government may request further information from respondents.