Argon Piping Supply, Installation and Testing

The Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is soliciting proposals for the supply, installation, and testing of stainless-steel piping systems to support the DUNE experiment at the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF). The project involves designing and installing a comprehensive argon gas transportation pipeline system that will move argon from a receiving facility to the Central Utility Cavern at the 4850 Level underground. The pipeline system consists of varying diameters—8-inch Schedule 10 piping between the Argon Receiving Facility and Ross Shaft, 6-inch Schedule 10 from the shaft collar to the 4850 Level, and returning to 8-inch Schedule 10 from the shaft to the Central Utility Cavern. Contractors must demonstrate expertise in stainless-steel pipeline installation, underground construction in mining environments, and specialized piping system testing protocols. The pre-solicitation notice was posted on April 1, 2026, with a question deadline of April 30, 2026, allowing interested parties approximately 30 days to submit inquiries and prepare for the formal solicitation.

This opportunity carries no small business set-aside designation and is open to all qualified contractors. The project is driven by the substantial scale of the DUNE experiment, which requires approximately 40,000 metric tons of liquid argon to be transported and converted to gaseous form for underground distribution. While specific contract value information is not detailed in this pre-solicitation notice, the magnitude and complexity of the work—including supply, installation, and comprehensive testing of specialized piping infrastructure—suggests a significant capital investment. The detailed technical specifications and requirements are contained in the RFI.zip file posted alongside this notice, which prospective bidders should review thoroughly. Interested contractors should monitor for the formal Request for Proposal and ensure their submissions address the complete scope of work encompassing material procurement, installation logistics, pressure testing, and quality assurance documentation.