Request for Information: Supply of Liquid Argon to Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (Lead, South Dakota)
ID: LBNF-2025-LAR-RFI-JDType: Sources Sought
Overview

Buyer

ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OFENERGY, DEPARTMENT OFFERMILAB - DOE CONTRACTORBatavia, IL, 60510, USA

NAICS

Industrial Gas Manufacturing (325120)

PSC

GASES: COMPRESSED AND LIQUEFIED (6830)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/f66e72160ceb488fb6a24b2858edf8af/view
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Energy, through Fermilab, is seeking information from qualified vendors for the supply of significant quantities of Liquid Argon (LAr) to support the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) project in Lead, South Dakota. The procurement aims to secure approximately 1,599,097,650 standard cubic feet (about 75,000 metric tons) of LAr between Q1 CY2029 and Q2 CY2035, with specific purity requirements of no more than 10 ppm Nitrogen. This supply is critical for the operation of neutrino detectors within the LBNF project, which plays a vital role in advancing particle physics research. Interested vendors should respond to the Request for Information by January 30, 2026, and can direct inquiries to Jeremy Duncan at jeremyd@fnal.gov or by phone at 865-300-0443.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Jeremy Duncan
    (865) 300-0443
    jeremyd@fnal.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    Appendix for LAr Supply RFI Nov-2025_Final.pptx
    The "LAr Supply RFI Appendix" document, dated November 21, 2025, provides an overview of the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF)/Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) project's Liquid Argon (LAr) supply infrastructure. Key aspects include a high-level project timeline and a Cryogenics Process Flow Diagram supporting a single tank. The document details conceptual and preliminary layouts for the Argon Receiving Facilities, which will include four 50 m³ LAr storage tanks (totaling 280 tons, sufficient for 3.5-4 days at 70 tons/day), two 500 kW redundant vaporizers, LAr tanker offloading stations, and an Argon Purity Shed for controls and impurity sampling. Crucially, no cryogens or cryogenic equipment will be in the shaft. The appendix also illustrates site accessibility, including the steepest incline on the way to the site (Mill St. Grade), and provides photos and layouts of the surface facilities, indicating an available space of 300 m² for the Argon Receiving Facilities near an existing access road and shaft. The document is likely part of an RFI to solicit information from potential suppliers or contractors for the LAr supply system.
    FFDG Request for Information_LAR 12-4-2025_final.pdf
    Fermi Forward Discovery Group LLC (FFDG) is issuing a Request For Information (RFI) for the supply of liquid argon (LAr) to the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) Project in Lead, SD. This RFI aims to update market conditions for LAr supply in preparation for a formal Request for Proposals (RFP). The project requires approximately 797,416,695 scf (~37,400 metric tons) of LAr for the initial two neutrino detectors, with an optional 801,680,955 scf (~37,600 metric tons) for two additional detectors, totaling around 1,599,097,650 scf (~75,000 metric tons) between Q1 CY2029 and Q2 CY2035. FFDG plans to issue Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) subcontracts. The RFI seeks information on supply capability, purity, delivery logistics, cost estimates, and feedback on the procurement schedule. Responses are due by January 30, 2026, to Jeremy R. Duncan.
    Supplemental Information Release 1 - 12-22-2025A.pdf
    FFDG has released Supplemental Information Release #1 for its 2025 Liquid Argon Supply Request for Information (RFI), addressing key questions from recipients. The RFI clarifies that there is no direct rail access to the delivery site, though options exist within 100 miles, such as Tiger Transfer, for rail-to-truck short hauling. The plan is for Liquid Argon quantities associated with Cryostats 3 and 4 to be contract options, unilaterally exercisable by FFDG, subject to Department of Energy authorization. Contract terms and a draft subcontract will be provided with the upcoming Request for Proposal package, likely utilizing Fermilab’s General Terms and Conditions for Supplies at SURF, with exceptions allowed in proposals. Finally, the RFI specifies a strict Liquid Argon purity limit of 10 ppm Nitrogen, stating that 15 ppm is not acceptable, though lower concentrations are appreciated depending on price.
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