RFI BZ-2025-05 Fast Cycle Dilution Fridge.pdf

LBNL Request for Information No. BZ-2025-05 Page 1

February 14, 2025

Subject: Request for Information (RFI) Number BZ-2025-05 Response Due Date: February 26, 2025

Introduction The University of California, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is conducting market research to identify sources that possess the capabilities and experience necessary to provide a fast-cycle dilution refrigeration system.

Background With ever-increasing numbers of quantum bits (‘qubits’) on a superconducting quantum computer chip, defects in the design and materials will be amplified and result in unusable qubit lifetime during scale-

up. The optimization of design and materials as well as exploration of potential new materials for the system rely on sequential experiments, where parameters of a previous step are necessary for the optimization of the next. Such iterations are typically hindered by the long cycling time of a dilution refrigerator. A fast-cycling dilution refrigerator is essential equipment for circuit design and material optimization for presevering performance such as qubit lifetime during scaling.

Preliminary Specifications LBNL intends to acquire an instrument that meets or exceeds the following specifications. These are preliminary and subject to change.

1. For fast cycling capability, we require a sample cooldown time from room temperature to <20mK within 16 hours or less; warmup time from <20mK to room temperature within 16 hours or less with an empty fridge. The cooldown and warm-up can be whole-fridge or sample-only (e.g. bottom loading). The total cycle time (cooldown plus warmup) shall be considered.

2. Hold time at <20mK must be longer than a day or more to accommodate all potential measurements.

3. The fridge should be able to accommodate at least 12 RF coaxial cables (>12 GHz) and 12 DC wires or more for qubit control and readout, with all necessary connections from room temperature to base chamber.

4. The sample area must be larger than 2” in diameter.

5. Fridges that have reference for usage in superconducting qubit circuits are preferred.

6. Integrated thermometry with automated cool-down and warm-up routines.

7. System must include vibration damping between the cryostat and its support structure, as well as between the cryostat and its gas handling system.

NAICS Code and Size Standard The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this acquisition will be 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing). The corresponding small business size standard is 1,000 or fewer employees.

LBNL Request for Information No. BZ-2025-05 Page 2

Instructions Respondents who can demonstrate a proven record of delivering a dilution refrigerator per the preliminary specifications above should email the LBNL Procurement Representative Brian Zatkow at bzatkow@lbl.gov with any and all relevant published product literature and/or technical specifications demonstrating compliance. Attachments or hyperlinks are both acceptable. Please state if the dilution refrigerator qualifies as a domestic end product under FAR Clause 52.225-1, Buy American Act - Supplies. Budgetary estimates are welcome but not necessary.

All responses must be submitted by email no later than 3:00pm Pacific on Wednesday February 26, 2025.

Request for Information Only This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only. This is not a request for quote or proposal. It does not constitute a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by the University.

Responses in any form are not offers and no subcontract will be awarded as a result of this announcement. No inquiries regarding a bid package or solicitation will be answered, because there is no bid package or solicitation yet available. Any information submitted by respondents to this RFI is strictly voluntary.

In order to protect the procurement integrity of any future procurement that may arise from this RFI, information regarding the technical point of contact will not be given and no appointments for presentations will be made. No funds are available to pay for preparation of responses to this announcement, and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this RFI or any follow-up information requests related to this RFI. Responding to this RFI does not provide any advantage or disadvantage to potential offerors if LBNL chooses to issue a formal solicitation at a later date.

This Request for Information is governed by procurement policies and procedures established under the University's Prime Contract with the U.S. Government, represented by the Department of Energy, for management and operation of LBNL.

Proprietary Information Because information received in response to this RFI may be used to structure future programs and may be made available to the public, respondents must not include any information in their responses that might be considered business sensitive, proprietary, or otherwise confidential. Responses must be submitted with the understanding that their contents may be publicly disclosed and, in the event of a public disclosure, LBNL will not notify respondents or provide any opportunity to revise or redact submitted information.

Brian Zatkow LBNL Procurement Representative

(510) 495-2547 bzatkow@lbl.gov

(End of RFI document) mailto:bzatkow@lbl.gov mailto:bzatkow@lbl.gov

NAICS Code and Size Standard