FAST/SPS Powder Sintering Press

Argonne National Laboratory, operating under the Department of Energy Office of Science, is procuring one specialized high-temperature sintering equipment unit capable of fast sintering with pressure and atmosphere control as part of the METALLIC program to build critical material manufacturing capabilities. The equipment must meet stringent technical specifications including heating/cooling rates of 80°C/min, uniaxial pressing force between 4-250 kN, vacuum capabilities to 1x10-3 torr, and atmosphere control using nitrogen or argon with up to 5% hydrogen while processing solid-state battery electrodes. The procurement will be evaluated using a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) strategy, requiring vendors to demonstrate full technical compliance with all specifications. Vendors must submit quotations with DAP freight terms by 12:00 PM CDT on August 15, 2025, along with completed ANL-70 and ANL-70B forms and detailed technical capability documentation. All questions must be numbered and submitted to the Contracting Officer, with responses posted publicly via addendum.

This procurement does not utilize any set-aside designation and no incumbent contractors are identified in the solicitation documents. While specific award values are not disclosed, the procurement requires compliance with Buy American requirements where equipment components must have 60-75% domestic origin depending on delivery year, and payment terms are net 30 days. The equipment must accommodate sample sizes ranging from 5mm diameter circular pellets to 100mm x 100mm x 5mm plates, operate at temperatures up to 1300°C, and have a maximum footprint of 5m x 6m. Delivery is requested within 6 months to the place of performance at Lemont, Illinois 60439, with an equipment commissioning visit included as part of the vendor's responsibilities. The solicitation is issued under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357 with Molly Hunter serving as the primary contact for this specialized laboratory equipment procurement.