Argon Piping Supply, Installation and Testing

The Department of Energy, via its contractor Fermi Forward Discovery Group (FFDG), is seeking proposals for the supply, installation, and testing of a stainless-steel argon gas pipeline at the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF). This project supports the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) and involves transporting approximately 40,000 metric tons of argon from surface stations to the Central Utility Cavern at the 4850 Level. The scope includes complex vertical and horizontal piping, featuring an 8-inch diameter pipeline from the surface to the Ross shaft, a 6-inch section descending the shaft, and a return to 8-inch piping leading into the underground cavern. Managed under solicitation number 73573, the work will take place at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota. Evaluation will follow a Best Value tradeoff methodology, though some documents reference Lowest-Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) criteria. Key dates include a mandatory virtual pre-proposal meeting on June 23, 2026, a proposal deadline of July 27, 2026, and an expected award by October 10, 2026. The project has a 250-day performance period with a target completion of September 22, 2027. Requirements include a detailed Statement of Work, specialized safety and quality control protocols for SURF, and high-limit insurance coverage. Offerors must submit separate Technical and Price/Business volumes and provide certifications regarding organizational conflicts of interest and small business subcontracting plans. This project supports the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) by installing infrastructure to transport 40,000 metric tons of liquid argon to the 4850 Level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). The scope includes the supply, instal…