Sources Sought: EIC Quadrupole Magnet Coils

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab), procuring on behalf of the Department of Energy, is conducting a sources-sought and Request for Information (RFI STek-26-S455088) for magnet coils destined for the Electron Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory, with responses due by August 18, 2026.

JLab is gathering preliminary cost and schedule information across three magnet coil categories: quadrupole and sextupole coils (nine types, 40 to 100 units total per type, with initial quantities of 4 units for select configurations), and corrector magnet coils (three types, 420 units total, with initial quantities of 2 units for two types). Magnets will be procured either build-to-print using JLab-provided drawings or build-to-specification with contractor design submissions subject to JLab approval. Manufacturing will include hollow oxygen-free high conductivity copper conductors with water cooling holes, fiberglass/vacuum-impregnated epoxy insulation, and stainless steel brazed water fittings for quadrupole and sextupole variants; corrector coils will use heavy build square copper wire wet wound with EPON 81C epoxy.

Contractors must demonstrate capacity to deliver first article magnet coils followed by production quantities within 12 to 18 months after receipt of order. JLab will award contracts to multiple vendors as needed. Responses must include budgetary cost estimates with NRE and tooling costs for both initial and full quantities, anticipated cost impacts for fiscal years 2027–2028, customs and duties information for offshore fabrication, subcontracting plans, percentage of work performed outside the U.S., and manufacturing recommendations. All vendors must register on the JLab Solicitation Bulletin Board and confirm qualifications under NAICS Code 335999 (600-employee size standard). Responses are due to beaver@jlab.org by 5:00 PM Eastern time on August 18, 2026. This RFI does not constitute an order or commitment to pay costs.