SCBA Breathing-Air Compressor and Fill Station System

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION (BRAND-NAME)

SCBA Breathing-Air Compressor and Fill Station System

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Sub-Agency: National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Research Services (ORS), Division of Fire and Rescue Services

Classification / NAICS Code: 333912 – Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing Product Service Code (PSC): 4310 – Compressors and Vacuum Pumps

Solicitation / RFQ Number: PCA-ORS-08834

Notice Type

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for a commercial product prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

This requirement is being conducted as a Simplified Acquisition under FAR Part 13 and as a commercial acquisition under FAR Part 12. This is a brand-name requirement. All responsible sources capable of supplying the specified brand-name item, including authorized dealers, may submit a quotation that will be considered by the Government.

Description of Requirement

The NIH Division of Fire and Rescue Services requires a fully integrated breathing-air compressor and SCBA fill station capable of safely and efficiently filling SCBA cylinders used in emergency response, hazardous materials operations, technical rescue incidents, and firefighter training. The system must support continuous operational readiness, minimize operator error, provide automated fill management, and maintain electronic records required for respiratory protection and equipment management programs.

The required item is the BAUER UNICUS® 4i-18-E3 (or the specific configuration described below), including delivery, installation, commissioning, and operator training.

Brand-Name Justification

This requirement is restricted to the BAUER UNICUS® 4i brand-name configuration. Based on market research, the BAUER UNICUS® 4i integrates the following required capabilities within a single factory-engineered platform:

• Fully automated SCBA filling – automatically identifies allowable cylinder fill pressures and fills to maximum rated pressure without manual valve manipulation, reducing operator error.
• Automatic cascade management – solid-state automatic cascade system that optimizes storage-bank utilization and fill sequencing.
• Integrated RFID tracking and compliance documentation – records cylinder identification, fill history, operator information, fill pressures, and hydrostatic test/expiration dates; prevents filling expired cylinders and generates permanent electronic records supporting NFPA 1989 and OSHA documentation requirements.
• NFPA-compliant three-position containment fill station – allows simultaneous filling of multiple cylinders while protecting personnel from catastrophic cylinder failure.
• Single integrated system – combines compressor, purification, storage, cascade controls, RFID management, and containment fill station in one package, reducing installation complexity, maintenance, training burden, and lifecycle cost.
• Operational readiness/safety – 18.0 SCFM output at 6000 PSI, with manual bypass capability during power outages for emergency continuity.

The full justification is documented in the Brand-Name Justification signed by the Assistant Fire Chief, NIH Fire Department, and is available upon request.

Salient Characteristics / Configuration

The quoted system shall include, at minimum:

• UNICUS 4i, four-cylinder recharging station; 18 SCFM charging rate; 6000 PSI; three-phase electric (208V, 3-phase, 60 Hz available at the site)
• BAUER breathing-air purification system
• Solid-state automatic cascade system
• RFID reader/management with cloud service
• Three-position NFPA-compliant containment fill station (accommodating cylinders up to 31" overall length)
• Four (4) ASME-rated storage cylinders
• Electronic CO monitor with shutdown
• Remote fill panel/hose connection (regulator, gauge, isolation valve, hose reel with hose) to support remote filling of the HazMat unit cascade system
• Manual bypass capability for power-outage operation

Included Services

• Delivery to NIH, Building 51, Bethesda, MD
• Freight, startup, air testing, and one operator training session
• Installation and commissioning

(Offerors shall state clearly what installation/electrical scope is and is not included in their quote.)

Place of Performance

NIH, Building 51, Bethesda, MD 20892.

Schedule / Period of Performance

• Delivery: approximately 6–8 weeks after receipt of order (state firm lead time in quote)
• Installation and commissioning: within 2 weeks after delivery
• Total period of performance not to exceed 90 calendar days from award

Basis for Award

Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose quotation conforms to the brand-name requirement and represents the best value / lowest price technically acceptable to the Government. [Confirm evaluation approach — LPTA vs. best value.]

Applicable Provisions and Clauses

• FAR 52.212-1 – Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services
• FAR 52.212-2 – Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services [insert evaluation factors]
• FAR 52.212-4 – Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services
• FAR 52.212-5 – Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders

Offerors shall include a completed copy of FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications, or confirm active SAM registration with representations and certifications completed. Quotations shall include the offeror's UEI.

Response Due Date

Quotations are due no later than September 25, 2026, 3:00 PM ET.

Submission Instructions

Quotations shall be submitted by email to the Contracting POC below. Vendors are responsible for confirming receipt.

Point of Contact

Contracting Officer / Specialist: Travis Brown Email: travis.brown@nih.gov

This notice will be posted at SAM.gov (sam.gov) in accordance with FAR Part 5. The Government reserves the right to make award without discussions. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a response.