DUNE "Warm Structure" Steel Fabrication

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, operating under the Department of Energy, is conducting market research to identify qualified sources capable of fabricating a large-scale steel "Warm Structure" for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) Near Detector project. The procurement involves manufacturing three major structural frame components - the Warm Structure, Muon Window, and PRISM subframe - all constructed from carbon steel and designed to meet AISC 360 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings. These components will serve as the exterior steel framework housing a particle detector within an insulated cryogenic tank filled with liquid argon. Key supplier qualifications include structural welding capabilities, ability to weld stainless steel to carbon steel, dimensional inspection accuracy of 0.5-1.0 mm, finishing capabilities for structures measuring 6-10 meters in scale, ISO 9001 quality system certification, and lifting equipment with 15-ton capacity. Responses to this Request for Information must be submitted via email to Brian Zatkow by 3:00 PM Pacific on October 8, 2025, addressing fabrication capabilities, estimated timeframes, and budgetary estimates. The formal solicitation and contract award are anticipated to occur in Q1 2027.

This opportunity carries no set-aside designation and is classified under NAICS code 332999 with a small business size standard of 750 or fewer employees. No incumbent contractors are identified in the documentation, as this appears to be a new procurement initiative for the DUNE-ND project. While specific contract values are not disclosed, the technical drawings reveal substantial structural components including assemblies with overall dimensions of approximately 11,008 mm length, 7,794 mm width, and 3,000 mm height, with the complete Warm Structure assembly weighing 314,881.50 pounds. The project involves complex multi-component fabrication with bill of materials ranging from 15 to 34 unique parts per assembly, including various quantities of structural beams, cross braces, fasteners, and membrane components. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has indicated a preference for a single supplier to handle all three structural components, though they will consider alternative approaches from potential contractors.