RFI -LBNF EPAs

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FERMILAB), operated by Fermi Forward Discovery Group LLC under the Department of Energy, is seeking industry input through a Request for Information (RFI) regarding Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) methodologies for construction contracts supporting the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) Near Site Conventional Facilities Subproject in Batavia, Illinois. The RFI solicits feedback on three primary EPA approaches: commodity-based indices tied to materials such as steel, concrete, cement, copper, asphalt, and fuel; type-of-work-based adjustments specific to earthwork, concrete, structural steel, electrical, and mechanical work; and general construction cost indices utilizing a single broad index. Respondents are requested to address market preferences, administrative burden, risk allocation, and impacts on pricing and competitiveness through seven detailed market research questions covering EPA necessity, preferred structure, risk allocation, competition effects, index accuracy, administrative feasibility, and historical performance. This RFI is issued for information-gathering purposes only and does not commit the Government to any procurement action or costs; participation is voluntary and does not confer any advantage or disadvantage in future procurements. Responses must be submitted electronically to schmitzc@fnal.gov by March 12, 2026, with company name and point of contact clearly identified.

No set-aside designations apply to this RFI. Fermi Forward Discovery Group LLC currently manages FERMILAB under Prime Contract Number 89243024CSC000002 with the Department of Energy. The RFI does not specify award values or budget ranges, as this is a pre-solicitation information-gathering phase rather than a formal procurement announcement. The LBNF project involves construction of above- and below-ground buildings, roads, utilities, and sitework dominated by concrete, earthwork, and steel work to support the LBNF/DUNE-US proton and neutrino beamlines and DUNE near detector located nearly a mile underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota. Respondents are also requested to provide recommendations on adjustment frequency (monthly, quarterly, or annually), caps, floors, neutral zones, documentation requirements, and treatment of subcontractor pricing. Heavy and civil engineering construction (NAICS 237) is the relevant industry classification for this procurement.