RFI BZ-2026-02.pdf

LBNL Request for Information No. BZ-2026-02 Page 1

June 5, 2026

Subject: Request for Information (RFI) No. BZ-2026-02 Response Due Date: June 17, 2026

Introduction The University of California, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the capabilities necessary to deliver Nitronic 50 Stainless Steel forgings in support of the High Field Test Facility Dipole project (TFD).

Scope A key component of the TFD project are the two endplates, which are used to apply end loading on a 15T superconducting magnet. Each of these endplates must be fabricated from a single large Nitronic 50 Stainless Steel forging, which is described below. LBNL is seeking a source for these forgings. LBNL drawing numbers DF-1000-8853 and DF-1000-5103 demonstrate the TFD endplates that will be fabricated from these forgings.

Nitronic 50 Stainess Steel Forging Specifications

• Material: Nitronic 50 (UNS S20910 / ASTM XM-19) forging with minimum properties and composition following specification ASTM A182

• Minimum dimensions in mm: 845 × 525 × 263

• Quantity two

• Lead time desired of 10 weeks or less ARO

Finished Endplate Specifications for reference (DF-1000-8853 and DF-1000-5103)

• Thickness: 250mm +4mm/-0mm

• Height: 832mm +/-1mm

• Width: 512mm +/-1mm

Instructions Respondents who can deliver the forgings described above should complete the LBNL RFI response document and email it to the LBNL Procurement Representative Brian Zatkow at bzatkow@lbl.gov. All questions on the response document must be answered. Responses must be submitted by email no later than 3:00pm Pacific on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. No requests for deadline extension will be approved.

It is possible that LBNL may consider purchasing the forgings directly, or provide references to one or more machine shops competing for and/or awarded a procurement for the endplate fabrication.

However, no procurement subcontract will be awarded in response to this market research RFI.

Budgetary estimates therefore are not required, but would be welcome for planning purposes.

NAICS Code and Size Standard The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this RFI is 332111 (Iron and Steel Forging). The corresponding small business size standard is 750 or fewer employees.

mailto:bzatkow@lbl.gov

LBNL Request for Information No. BZ-2026-02 Page 2

Buy American Act Requirements Procurement subcontracts awarded by LBNL include FAR Clause 52.225-1, Buy American Act - Supplies, which requires that only domestic end products be delivered, unless a specific exception applies. Respondents must indicate in the RFI Response Document the geographic location of the facility where these forged aluminum cylinders would be produced, should a procurement subcontract be awarded.

LBNL may apply an exception to the Buy American Act for a proposed foreign end product if:

1. Its price, including any customs duty, is more than 20% less than the price for a comparable domestic product available from a large business concern, or more than 30% less than the price for a comparable domestic product available from a small business concern; or

2. A comparable domestic product is not commercially available in sufficient quantities of a satisfactory quality.

The definition of a domestic end product under FAR Clause 52.225-1: An end product manufactured in the United States, if the cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States exceeds 65 percent of the cost of all its components.

Request for Information Only This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only. This is not a request for quote or proposal, and any quotes or pricing proposals submitted in response will be discarded without consideration. 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 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 of California's Prime Contract with the U.S. Government, represented by the Department of Energy, for management and operation of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

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.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.225-1 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.225-1

LBNL Request for Information No. BZ-2026-02 Page 3

Brian Zatkow LBNL Procurement Representative

(510) 495-2547 bzatkow@lbl.gov

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

NAICS Code and Size Standard