RFI KT-2026-03.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 118 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- KT-2026-03
- Issued by
-
Department of Energy
About this file
This file is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), a Department of Energy facility, for market research purposes regarding a Large Format Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) System. LBNL seeks to identify qualified vendors capable of providing a wire EDM system to support the Engineering Division's mission of delivering advanced mechanical engineering, fabrication, and manufacturing support for scientific research across multiple DOE Office of Science facilities. The system will enable high-precision, non-contact machining of oversized, complex, or high-density components such as accelerator structures, detector chassis, superconducting magnet components, and specialized tooling. Respondents must submit their completed Response Form via email to kktays@lbl.gov by November 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM PT.
The preliminary system requirements include nominal travel dimensions of approximately 800 mm (X), 600 mm (Y), and 800 mm (Z), with a workpiece envelope near 1,250 mm × 1,020 mm × 800 mm and a 3,000 kg workpiece capacity. The system must support full-height submerged cutting, automatic wire threading and broken-wire recovery at full height, and must achieve complete-system compliance with U.S. safety standards (NFPA 79, UL 508A) certified by an OSHA-recognized Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). LBNL requires West Coast field service organization support and will evaluate vendor responses based on compliance status (Complies, Partially Complies, or Does Not Comply), with respondents obligated to provide specific technical documentation and drawings substantiating claimed capabilities. This RFI is not a solicitation for proposals, no contract will be awarded from this notice, and information gathered will establish a qualified sources list for a future Request for Quotes (RFQ) phase. LBNL will not reimburse respondents for preparation costs or accept vendor questions during this RFI phase.
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1. General
| Request for Information (RFI) - Large Format Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) System |
| This is a Request for Information (RFI) only; it is not a solicitation for proposals, and no subcontract will be awarded from this notice. Information gathered through this RFI and follow-up capability discussions will be used to establish a list of qualified sources eligible to advance to a future Request for Quotes (RFQ) phase. Because this RFI is strictly for market research, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (“Berkeley Lab” or “LBNL”) will not accept, evaluate, or respond to vendor questions during this phase; formal Q&A will be conducted exclusively during the subsequent RFQ stage. LBNL will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparing responses to this RFI or participating in follow-up discussions. No telephone calls will be accepted, and technical point of contact information will not be released to protect procurement integrity. The Procurement Representative may, at their sole discretion, contact individual respondents to clarify submissions or schedule LBNL-initiated capability discussions. Responding to this RFI does not provide any advantage or disadvantage in any future LBNL solicitation. |
If your organization can provide the goods or services described below, please complete the Response Form (Tab 2: Response Form) in this workbook and submit your completed file via email by November 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM PT.
| Submit the Response Form and any attachments via email to the following address: |
| kktays@lbl.gov |
The main point of contact for this RFI is:
Karen Tays Procurement Specialist Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory kktays@lbl.gov 510-486-4926
| Overview & Background |
| 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 Large Format Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) System. |
| Scope of Work |
| LBNL’s Engineering Division provides advanced mechanical engineering, fabrication, and manufacturing support for scientific research across multiple DOE Office of Science facilities and programs. A large format wire EDM system supports this mission by enabling high-precision, non-contact machining of oversized, complex, or high-density components such as accelerator structures, detector chassis, superconducting magnet components, and specialized tooling ensuring parts meet the strict geometric tolerances, surface finish requirements, and material integrity essential for scientific instrumentation. |
| Preliminary Requirements |
| LBNL intends to acquire an instrument that meets or exceeds the following requirements. These are preliminary and subject to change. |
System
- Nominal targets are approximately 800 mm X travel × 600 mm Y travel × 800 mm Z travel
- Workpiece envelope near 1,250 mm × 1,020 mm × 800 mm
- 3,000 kg workpiece capacity
- Full-height submerged cutting
- Automatic wire threading and broken-wire recovery at full height
- Viable complete-system NRTL compliance path.
Service
- West coast field service organization
Certification
- Complete system compliance with applicable U.S. safety standards (e.g., NFPA 79, UL 508A) certified by an OSHA-recognized Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) (e.g., UL, CSA, TÜV, ETL).
| Response Instructions |
| Complete every line item in the Response Form. For each requirement in Section 4 (System Capabilities), assign an applicable compliance status, a concise explanation, and cite the specific attachment, section, and page number containing supporting data or technical drawings. General marketing statements or unsubstantiated claims will not be accepted as evidence for technical compliance. |
Compliance Status:
Complies - Meets or exceeds the requirement with standard, existing capabilities Partially Complies - Meets the requirement with minor modification, optional add-on, or qualified limitation.
Does Not Comply - Current production model cannot meet the requirement.
Where a requirement is partially met, describe the limitation, proposed exception, and mitigation plan.
If a standard system meeting LBNL’s preliminary requirements is unavailable, propose the closest current-production alternative and identify every material deviation.
Submissions must not include export-controlled information (subject to ITAR or EAR), Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), or security-sensitive data. Transmissions via standard email or non-secure portals are unclassified only. If a respondent believes sensitive or controlled data is required to substantiate its capabilities, the respondent must notify the Procurement Representative prior to submission to determine whether an approved transfer mechanism is appropriate.
2. Response Form
| Response Form | Fill out all shaded cells: |
| Section 1 - Company Information | |
| U.S Legal Entity Name | |
| Corporate Headquarters (City, State) | |
| State of Incorporation/Registration | |
| Address 1 | |
| Address 2 | |
| Street | |
| City | |
| State/Region | |
| Zip/Postal Code | |
| Telephone Number | |
| Website | |
| Direct OEM Subsidiary or Authorized Distributor / Importer |
| Section 2 - Contact Information |
| Contact Name |
| Title |
| Telephone Number |
| Section 3 - Organization (drop down menu) | |
| 3.1 | Is your company authorized to issue warranties and contract directly with LBNL? |
| 3.2 | Is your company authorized to perform installation and warranty field service? |
| 3.3 | Is your company a small business under NAICS 333517 (Machine Tool Manufacturing) with a size standard of 500 employees? |
| 3.4 | Type of Small Business Classification. |
| 3.5 | How many years has your company been in business under its current name? |
| Section 4 - System Capabilities (drop down menu) | ||||
| Data Requested | Compliance Status | Response | Attachment Reference (if applicable) (include section/page #) | |
| 4.1 | Manufacturer, model, control, and software release | |||
| 4.2 | Current-production status and expected production life | |||
| 4.3 | X / Y / Z axis travel, mm | |||
| 4.4 | Maximum workpiece width / depth / height, mm | |||
| 4.5 | Maximum workpiece mass, kg | |||
| 4.6 | Maximum fully submerged workpiece and cutting height, mm | |||
| 4.7 | Automatic wire threading at maximum height and when submerged | |||
| 4.8 | Broken-wire recovery at maximum height and when submerged | |||
| 4.9 | U / V travel and maximum taper capability | |||
| 4.10 | Standard, optional, or engineered configuration | |||
| 4.11 | Closest-alternative deviations from the preliminary targets |
| Section 5 - Service | |||
| Question | Response | Attachment Reference (if applicable) | |
| 5.1 | Where are your primary U.S. offices located for sales, applications, installation, warranty, and field service (City, State)? | ||
| 5.2 | What are the locations (City, State) of your West Coast offices and field-service dispatch points that support Berkeley, California? |
| Section 6 - Other | |||
| Question | Response | Attachment Reference (if applicable) | |
| 6.1 | Is the complete proposed system currently listed or labeled by a U.S.-recognized NRTL? | ||
| 6.2 | Do you offer an operating-lease alternative directly, or do you coordinate with an established third-party equipment lessor to support lease structures? | ||
| 6.3 | What standard lease terms do you support (e.g., 36, 48, and 60 months), or closest alternatives? | ||
| 6.4 | What is your typical lead time (in weeks) from receipt of an order through manufacturing, delivery, installation, and acceptance? | ||
| 6.5 | Any other considerations or items LBNL should be aware of? |
| Section 7 - Attachments | |
| List any attachments to the RFI including drawings, requirements documents, etc. (please do not attach sales literature or white papers unless requested by LBNL) | |
| 7.1 | |
| 7.2 | |
| 7.3 | |
| 7.4 | |
| 7.5 | |
| 7.6 | |
| 7.7 | |
| 7.8 | |
| 7.9 | |
| 7.10 | |
| 7.11 | |
| 7.12 | |
| 7.13 |
Data Valid
| Yes |
| No |
| Disadvantaged |
| Women-Owned |
| HUB Zone |
| Disabled Veteran |
| Veteran |
| 8(a) |
| No Socioeconomic Designation |
| < 2 years |
| 2-5 years |
| 5-10 years |
| >10 years |
| Complies |
| Partially Complies |
| Does Not Comply |
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