Dilution Refrigerator for Quantum Sensing

The Department of Energy is seeking proposals for the procurement of a dilution refrigerator system for quantum sensing applications through Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The system must be a fully configured, cryogen-free dilution refrigerator capable of continuously maintaining temperatures below 10 mK, with a base temperature of 20 mK delivering greater than 14 W cooling power and 100 mK with greater than 450 W cooling power, and must cool from ambient to base temperature in under 30 hours. Key requirements include a scalable qubit readout and control platform based on AMD's RFSoC compatible with Fermilab's Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit, accommodation of a 500 kg payload with specified clearance dimensions, and comprehensive documentation including installation manuals, P&ID diagrams, and quality control plans. Technical evaluation will be based on five criteria in descending order of importance: Technical Capabilities and Understanding of Specifications, Prior Performance within the last five years, Quality Management System or Quality Assurance Program, Schedule, and Project Management and Organizational Capability. The proposal deadline is April 16, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST, with delivery required by September 26, 2026, and award to be made on a best-value basis with technical merit weighted as more important than cost.

This is a competitive, non-set-aside procurement for a single award on a firm fixed-price basis for a commercial item under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. No incumbent contractor or award value is specified in the solicitation documents. The system must be delivered to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with the seller responsible for all shipping costs, insurance, and damage liability during transit, as well as removal of all Helium-3 used in testing before shipment. The delivery timeline is constrained to September 26, 2026, with deliveries accepted Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM local time. Payment terms are Net 30 days for large business or Net 15 days for small business, delivered duty paid, with proposals submitted in U.S. Dollars and technical proposals not to exceed 10 pages excluding resumes.