FDC Rigging Services

The Department of Energy Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a subcontractor to provide comprehensive rigging services for the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility/Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (LBNF/DUNE-US) project at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota. The selected contractor must provide all rigging personnel, equipment, tools, and materials necessary for the safe and efficient movement of materials during the installation of cryostats, infrastructure, and detectors, including handling steel beams up to 17,000 pounds and 45 feet in length within underground caverns. Mandatory qualifications include annual revenues exceeding $1 million, ISO 9001 certified quality assurance plans, corporate environmental health and safety programs with an Experience Modification Rating under 1.0, and demonstrated experience with at least three rigging projects over $1 million in the last five years. The evaluation will focus on past rigging project experience, training and certification documentation, and Environmental Safety and Health program compliance with DOE and OSHA standards. A mandatory pre-proposal conference was held on May 21, 2025, and proposals are due by June 27, 2025.

This solicitation does not utilize any set-aside designations and is open to all eligible contractors meeting the specified requirements. The contract structure includes a base year from November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2026, with options for two additional years, and work will be performed in both North and South Caverns of the underground facility. Staffing requirements include a Lead Rigger per shift to supervise personnel and coordinate with Fermi Forward Discovery Group representatives, with anticipated scheduling of two shifts working six days per week (7am-5pm and 7pm-5am). The rigging services will support the installation of specialized scientific equipment, with staffing levels fluctuating based on project phases and the specific needs of each installation phase. All work will be performed at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota, within DOE-leased underground space, with the contractor required to provide specialized equipment including gang boxes, rigging racks, and cap lamps while adhering to strict fatigue management and safety protocols.