### Subpart 8.5- Acquisition of Helium

## 8.500 Scope of subpart.

This subpart implements the requirements of the Helium Act (50 U.S.C. 167a, et seq.) concerning the acquisition of liquid or gaseous helium by Federal agencies or by Government contractors or subcontractors for use in the performance of a Government contract (also see 30 CFR parts 601 and 602).

## 8.501 Definitions.

As used in this subpart-

"Bureau helium distributor" means a private helium distributor which has established and maintains eligibility to distribute helium purchased from the Bureau of Land Management, as specified in 30 CFR part 602.

"Bureau of Land Management" means the-

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Helium Field Operations
801 South Fillmore Street
Amarillo, TX 79101-3545.

"Helium requirement forecast" means an estimate by the contractor or subcontractor of the amount of helium required for performance of the contract or subcontract.

"Major helium requirement" means a helium requirement during a calendar month of 5,000 or more standard cubic feet (measured at 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute pressure and 70 degrees Fahrenheit temperature), including liquid helium gaseous equivalent. In any month in which the major requirement threshold is met, all helium purchased during that month is considered part of the major helium requirement.

## 8.502 Policy.

To the extent that supplies are readily available, all major helium requirements purchased by a Government agency or used in the performance of a Government contract shall be purchased from the Bureau of Land Management. This requirement may be satisfied as follows:

(a) By ordering against a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract (for contractor use and authorization procedures, see Subpart 51.1).
(b) For requirements not covered by a Federal Supply Schedule contract, by purchasing from-

(1) The Bureau of Land Management; or
(2) A Bureau helium distributor. A copy of the "List by Shipping Points of Private Distributors Eligible to Sell Helium to Federal Agencies" may be obtained from the Bureau of Land Management.

## 8.503 Exception.

The requirements of this subpart do not apply to contracts or subcontracts in which the helium was acquired by the contractor prior to award of the contract or subcontract.

## 8.504 Procedures.

(a) Upon receipt of the helium requirement forecast, point of contact, and telephone number from the contractor, the contracting officer shall forward this information, along with a copy of the contract, to the Bureau of Land Management.
(b) Upon notification by the Bureau of Land Management of an apparent discrepancy between helium sales data and the contractor's helium requirement forecast, the contracting officer shall determine appropriate action and inform the Bureau of Land Management.

## 8.505 Contract clause.

The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.208-8, Helium Requirement Forecast and Required Sources for Helium, in solicitations and contracts if it is anticipated that performance of the contract involves a major helium requirement.