RFP PR396924 - Amendment 2.pdf

SOLICITATION AMENDMENT

SOLICITATION NO.:

PR396924

SOLICITATION DATE:

July 22, 2025

AMENDMENT NO.:

AMENDMENT DATE:

August 5, 2025

ISSUED BY AND RETURN TO:

Procurement Officer: Tess Klatt Oak Ridge National Laboratory Phone: 509-438-6030 Email: klattta@ornl.gov

DUE DATE

This amendment does not change the date by which offers are due unless a date and time is inserted below.

DATE

TIME

DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT

This Amendment provides responses to Potential Offerors’ questions (see below) and revises the Statement of Work.

The revised Statement of Work is provided as an attachment to this solicitation amendment.

1. Your specification states that it is to be used for “melting, casting, and process trials”. Are you actually intending on casting into a mold of some type or is this meant to refer to the pulling of ingots out of an induction heated withdrawal crucible?

a. The system will be used pulling of ingots out of an induction heated withdrawal crucible.

2. Regarding the intended gas usage, we intend to use Helium as it is the most efficient gas for plasma melting.

However the mention of the “Gas deliver manifold should allow for controlled mixing and flow” seems to indicate that you are intending on using a different gas and/or mixing of gases. What other gases are you looking to use and are you actually intending on mixing the gases? This has an impact on the plasma torch configuration and there may be some limitations depending on what you are looking to accomplish.

a. We would like the ability to use a gas mixture if possible. We understand that there will be limitations with species. We would want the max flexibility without too much extra complications.

3. Within the Material Feeding section, you mention “powder, machine turnings, and solid scrap”. These types of PAM systems are intended to run on compacts that could include powder or turnings along with solid scrap that has been sized down to fit into the feeder. A bar feeder poses an issue because of the tilting hearth that is used to transfer the molten metal to the cold wall induction heated withdrawal. Bars could be cut to fit into the feeder so they can be loaded into the hearth for melting. What is the expectation here?

a. The expectation is that these materials would be fed as compacts. A bar feeder would be encouraged as an additional option if possible.

4. Pertaining to the “Ingot size capabilities” section; your maximum size is 100mm x 100mm x 1000mm long.

Is this intended to indicate your looking to make squares (or squares with chamfered edges)? Or is this to indicate a desire to make rounds that are 100mm in diameter?

a. The desire is to produce cylinders that are 100mm in diameter.

mailto:klattta@ornl.gov

SOLICITATION AMENDMENT

5. Your cooling water specification of <110oF is very high. Is this supposed to be the cooling water temperature or the maximum water return temperature?

a. This refers to the maximum cooling water temperature and this must be less than or equal to 90F.

The SOW has been updated.

6. For your 11-inch-thick foundation, what is the loading capacity of this slab?

a. The compressive strength is 4000 PSI. The buyer will make any necessary modifications to the slab if necessary to support the equipment from both static and seismic loads.

7. Given that you want to avoid a pit, what is your maximum height limit?

a. Hook height is 26’ 0”, bridge height is 29’ 5-1/8” above finished floor.

8. In regards to the Anticipated Subcontract Period of Performance, specifically your RFP states “Delivered and

Installed by March 31, 2027” though further down you have a comment related to our ability to meet the

“lead time/delivery date of March 31, 2027”. The first seems to indicate delivery and installation, but the second is only delivery. We are concerned about the schedule risk on this project given the available timeframe and the current lead times for things like power supplies, electronic components, and weldments as our current schedule was focused on delivery by that date if the PO is issued within the next month.

a. The request is for delivered and installed by March 31, 2027. If this date is unachievable, please give your best-case scenario and explain the need for the additional time.

The due date for proposals remains August 13, 2025, by 3:00 PM EST.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENT

Offerors must acknowledge receipt of this amendment in writing within the final proposal. FAILURE OF YOUR

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE DESIGNATED LOCATION BY THE SPECIFIED DATE AND TIME MAY RESULT

IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If, by virtue of this amendment you wish to change your offer, such change must make reference to the solicitation and this amendment.

NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR

NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

OFFEROR SIGNATURE AND DATE

Plasma Arc Melting System – Technical Specification for RFP

Revised, Dated August 5, 2025

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking proposals for the design, supply, and commissioning of a pilot-scale plasma arc melting system intended to support research and development across a wide spectrum of refractory metal alloys. This equipment will be used for experimental melting, casting, and process trials, enabling ORNL to evaluate material performance, optimize melting parameters, and develop new alloy compositions in a flexible laboratory setting.

To meet the needs of ongoing pilot activities, the system must be highly adaptable and capable of operating under diverse processing conditions. It should support various feedstock forms, mold sizes, and melting behaviors, while offering precise control over parameters such as heat input, melt rate, and gas environment. The design must emphasize safety, operational reliability, and ease of maintenance to ensure sustained use across multiple research programs and evolving technical requirements.

Desired Melter Characteristics

• Plasma Torch System o Configured with one or more plasma torches supported by a motion control system capable of programmable and repeatable torch movement.

o Gas delivery manifold should allow for controlled mixing and flow

• Cooling System o Closed-loop water cooling must be provided by the vendor for all heat-intensive components, including the furnace and plasma torch assemblies.

o Integrated manifold and valve control must manage all cooling functions to support continuous operation.

• Material Feeding o Capable of feeding compacted powder or machine turnings, and solid scrap o Systems such as bar feeders or equivalent may be proposed to improve consistency and handling flexibility.

• Ingot Forming and Extraction o Vertical ingot formation using an induction-heated mold zone.

o The system must produce a solid, usable ingot without significant structural or surface flaws o Ingot size capabilities:

▪ Maximum: 100 mm × 100 mm × 1000 mm

▪ Minimum: 50 mm diameter × 1000 mm o Required mold sizes:

▪ 60 mm diameter × 1000 mm length

▪ 75 mm diameter × 1000 mm length

• Melting Rate o The system must be able to achieve a minimum melt rate of 1000 cubic centimeters per hour under typical operating conditions for refractory metals.

▪ Reference material – Niobium alloy C103

• Operational Safety and Integration o The system should include all framing, enclosures, shielding, and controls necessary for safe operation within a laboratory setting.

o Safety features must align with applicable codes and institutional safety practices.

o Proposals must include on-site installation, commissioning, calibration, operator training, and start-up support.

• Spare Parts and Consumables o A full list of recommended spare parts and consumables must be provided, with pricing and suggested quantities to support early-stage operations.

Utility Requirements

• Power o 480 V, 3-phase, 60 Hz o Total power requirement not to exceed 1200 KVA o No more than three connection points for all system components

• Gases o Helium and argon available at pressures up to 120 psi from facility supply

• Cooling Water o 350 gallons per minute from a tower-based loop (≤90°F) o 80 gallons per minute from municipal supply for emergency and sanitary use

Facility Constraints

• Available Space o Footprint limit: 35 feet (length) × 28 feet (width) × 25 feet (height) o Foundation: 11-inch thick reinforced concrete slab o The design should avoid the need for below-grade installation or pit construction