Presolicitation
Beamline 4.3.1 Monochromator system
Department of Energy · Sol. JG-0909-26
Due in 8 days
AI summary Beta
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (a DOE lab) is asking vendors for information, not bids, on a monochromator (an X-ray optics instrument) for the new Beamline 4.3.1 at its Advanced Light Source in Berkeley, CA. The RFI is meant to help choose the final design and prepare for a possible later purchase of about $500K-$600K, with delivery targeted for December 2028.
Watch out for
- RFI only, no award. This is information gathering; no contract will be awarded from it and no costs are reimbursed, so it is only a way to get on LBNL's radar for the later RFP.
This is a Request for Information (RFI) announcement only.
- Highly specialized synchrotron optics. Needs cryo-cooled multilayer optics, 200 nrad RMS pitch stability and active feedback, which only firms with prior monochromator experience can credibly address.
Angular pitch stability requirement: 200nrad RMS or better.
- Custom radiation-safe vacuum chamber. The system will not sit in a radiation enclosure, so the chamber may need extra thick material, lead lining and controlled weld seams, which adds design cost and schedule.
The monochromator will not reside inside of a radiation protection enclosure.
- Responses may be made public. LBNL will not warn you or let you redact before public disclosure, so pricing and technical details you submit could be seen by competitors.
include any information in their responses that might be considered business sensitive,
- Design and responsibilities not settled. The final architecture and who supplies what (for example the multilayer coatings) are undecided, so the later scope and price could change.
The final configuration of the monochromator has not yet been selected, and the purpose of this
Full brief
What they want
- Feedback on a double-multilayer monochromator (DMM) working at 10 keV and 17 keV with about 1% bandwidth (the baseline)
- Feasibility and performance of higher-resolution options: narrower multilayers (0.4% or less) and/or a Si(111) crystal monochromator
- Cryo-cooled (very cold) optics to control heat distortion, plus past performance on low mounting-induced slope error
- Beam stability: 200 nrad RMS or better pitch stability, with motion feedback and diagnostics for drift and vibration up to 60 Hz
- A custom vacuum chamber that meets LBNL radiation safety rules, since there is no radiation enclosure
- Factory acceptance testing (FAT) plan and what can be verified at the factory
- Preliminary budgetary pricing, with the cost of the optional higher-resolution and Si(111) modes broken out
- Estimated schedule: design, long-lead parts, fabrication, assembly, testing and delivery
- Period of performance
- Not stated for a contract. RFI says: RFI in fall 2026, RFP in winter-spring 2027, system delivery December 2028.
- Place of performance
- Berkeley, CA, USA (Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)
- Estimated value
- Project magnitude $500K - $600K (stated in the RFI)
- Offers due
- October 16, 2026 (SAM.gov response deadline 2026-10-16 15:00, UTC-07:00)
- How to submit
- Email the completed form and any attachments to JEGraves@lbl.gov, Attention: Jane Graves, C.P.M., Sr. Subcontracts Administrator
- Page limits
- Each question in Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the form is limited to 300 words or less. No overall page limit is stated.
What to include when you submit
- Complete the Company Information Form, Sections 1-5 (pages 8-11) fully, or the submittal will not be considered
- Fill in the form electronically and type all details clearly
- List any attachments (drawings, budgetary quotes, specifications) at the end of the form; do not attach sales literature or white papers unless requested
- Do not include business-sensitive, proprietary or confidential information; responses may be made public
- No phone calls requesting a bid package; no technical point of contact or presentation appointments will be given
You must have
- The Company Information Form (Sections 1-5, pages 8-11) must be fully completed for the response to be considered
All submittals must include the Company Information Form, Sections 1-5, pages 8-11, fully
- No set-aside is used. The form asks whether you are a small business under NAICS 334516 (1,000-employee size standard) and which socioeconomic categories apply, but a response is not limited to small businesses.
Not in the notice text
- Whether a solicitation (RFP) will actually be issued; the RFI only says an RFP is expected in winter-spring 2027
- Contract type, evaluation method and factors for any future RFP
- Whether the multilayer optics will be supplied by LBNL or the offeror
- Whether any small business set-aside or preference will apply to a future RFP (this notice uses no set-aside)
- Exact word and page limits beyond 300 words per form question
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Key facts
- Response due
- Oct 16, 2026, 10:00 PM UTC
- Posted
- Sep 9, 2026
- Notice type
- Presolicitation
- Solicitation
- JG-0909-26
- Agency
- Department of Energy
- Office
- Berkeley Natl Lab - DOE Contractor
- Set-aside
- No Set aside used
- NAICS
- 334516
- Product/service code
- 6640
- Business type
- Electrical & electronic components
- Place of performance
- Berkeley, CA, 94720
- Contracting contact
- Jane GravesJEGraves@lbl.gov6303010510
Full notice text from SAM.gov
Please read all information presented in RFI JG-0909-26 for a monochromator for the new beamline at Advanced LIght Source (ALS). A response is due October 16, 2026. The RFI Form, Sections 1-5 must be completed.
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