Dilution Refrigerator

Argonne National Laboratory, procuring on behalf of the Department of Energy Office of Science, seeks quotations for a dilution refrigerator system meeting mandatory technical specifications, with responses due October 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CDT. Evaluation is lowest price, technically acceptable; no set-aside applies.

Place of performance is Lemont, Illinois (FOB Destination or DAP Incoterms 2020). The NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing; PSC is 6640, Laboratory Equipment and Supplies.

The dilution refrigerator must be a closed-loop continuous cooling system achieving base temperatures below 10 mK within 24 hours of cooldown. Cooling power requirements include greater than 14 W at 20 mK, greater than 450 W at 100 mK, greater than 36 W at 45 K, and greater than 1.35 W at 4.2 K. The system requires a standard plate configuration with mixing chamber plate exceeding 280 mm diameter, 5 KF40 and 2 KF63 line-of-sight ports, factory-installed twisted pair DC and coaxial RF wiring supporting signals up to 18 GHz and 40 GHz, factory-installed cryogenic circulators, isolators, and HEMT amplifiers, integration of a 0.25-0.25-0.25 Tesla vector magnet with persistent switches and 130 mm bore, and a fully oil-free gas handling system. The supplier must be a direct manufacturer providing remote and on-site technical support including warranty support for critical cryogenic components. Country of origin must comply with FAR 52.225-I Buy American thresholds (currently 65 percent domestic component cost for 2024–2028 deliveries). Acceptance requires ANL written approval at each verification stage: design drawings, visual inspection, RF line performance testing, outer vacuum leak checks reaching less than 10–3 mbar, DC cryostat ground resistance exceeding 1 megohm, base temperature below 10 mK with magnet installed, and cooling power confirmation.

Offerors must submit the completed ANL-70 RFQ form, capability list aligned with technical requirements, country of origin documentation, lead time from PO to delivery, and completed ANL-70B Representations and Certifications. Payment terms are Net 30. Quotations are subject to Argonne Terms and Conditions for Commercial Items and Services (Appendix A effective September 17, 2026) and ANL-366M Moderate Risk On-Site Supplemental Conditions (effective October 1, 2024), including mandatory insurance ($2,000,000 general liability, $1,000,000 automobile liability), full indemnification, ES&H compliance under 10 CFR 851 and OSHA standards, Job Safety Analysis submission, and contractor safety orientation. Contact Molly Hunter at mollyhunter@anl.gov or (630) 252-3094.