Fabrication, installation, alignment, calibration, machining, prototyping services for Upper Wide-Angle Viewing System (UWAVS)
ID: RFI_25_013_SType: Sources Sought
Overview

Buyer

ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OFENERGY, DEPARTMENT OFPRINCETON LAB - DOE CONTRACTORPrinceton, NJ, 08540, USA

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

PSC

ANTENNAS, WAVEGUIDES, AND RELATED EQUIPMENT (5985)
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Energy, through the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), is seeking qualified organizations to provide fabrication, installation, alignment, calibration, and prototyping services for the Upper Wide-Angle Viewing System (UWAVS) as part of the U.S. Contributions to the ITER Project, an international initiative aimed at developing fusion energy. The UWAVS is critical for measuring light emitted from plasma and divertor targets within the ITER tokamak, enhancing machine protection and supporting physics research. Interested parties, including large businesses, small businesses, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)/Minority Institutions (MIs), are invited to submit capability statements detailing their qualifications and relevant experience by January 15, 2025, to Khalif Stripling at kstripli@pppl.gov. This opportunity is part of a broader effort to advance fusion research, with an anticipated contract award by Q4 2025 and component delivery expected between 2029 and 2030.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The ITER Upper Wide Angle Viewing System (UWAVS) project, sponsored by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and prepared by General Atomics, is designed to monitor the divertor surface in nuclear fusion contexts, providing critical machine protection, plasma control, and physics measurements. This System Design Description (SDD) outlines the preliminary design of UWAVS-35, discussing its architecture, functional subsystems, optical design, safety measures, and risk analysis. Key components include the Front End Optical Modular System (FEOMS), Interspace Optical Tube (IOT), and Back End Optics & Cameras (BEOC), each playing a significant role in imaging and processing data. The document emphasizes compliance with stringent safety standards, including isolation and containment protocols to minimize radioactive waste and ensure operational safety. The modular design supports maintenance and upgrading, with an emphasis on optical and mechanical precision. Additional emphasis is placed on the optical models developed to optimize diagnostic performance while minimizing optical aberrations. This comprehensive report serves as a framework for further detailed design and implementation phases, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards and operational goals.
    The document outlines the Technical Design Description (TDD) for the Bioshield Optical Labyrinth (BOL), part of the ITER Upper Wide Angle Viewing System project sponsored by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The BOL subsystem serves critical functions in monitoring plasma control and ensuring machine protection by viewing the divertor through optical channels that minimize radiation exposure. It includes detailed descriptions of its purpose, design scope, structural components, and interface requirements while emphasizing its modular architecture. Key highlights focus on the optical design using two actuated mirror mounts to maintain beam alignment, survival under seismic conditions, and the integration of advanced materials such as stainless steel and specialized coatings. In operational contexts, the BOL is crucial for 20 years without failure and supports the safety of personnel by offering shielding from harmful radiation. This document supports federal RFPs and grants by providing a detailed technological and engineering framework necessary for the successful implementation of the BOL subsystem within the ITER project, showcasing innovation in design and adherence to safety standards.
    The ITER Upper Wide Angle Viewing System (UWAVS) Technical Design Description outlines the design and functionality of the Back End Optics and Cameras (BEOC) subsystem. Sponsored by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and prepared by General Atomics, the document details the BEOC's role in providing diagnostic capabilities related to divertor monitoring and plasma control at ITER. The BEOC, implemented in five identical instances, serves as a critical optical subsystem that facilitates capturing images across visible and infrared spectra. The document elaborates on components like optical layouts, subassemblies, structural designs, and instrumentation, ensuring detailed insights into SWaP (size, weight, and power) requirements, optics group arrangements, filter wheel assemblies, and camera integrations. Emphasis is placed on robust shielding from radiation and contamination, with comprehensive descriptions of the functionality of the optical relay system. The BEOC's design adheres to rigorous standards and methodologies suitable for sensitive environments, ensuring operational integrity amidst high-radiation exposure. This project highlights advanced optical engineering in supporting ITER's mission to advance fusion energy research and develop practical nuclear technology.
    The ITER Upper Port Wide Angle Viewing System (UWAVS) Technical Design Description focuses on the Interspace Optical Tube (IOT) subsystem, crucial for monitoring the divertor and ensuring machine protection and plasma control within the ITER project. Sponsored by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and developed by General Atomics, the document outlines the IOT's purpose, design, and functionality across five installations at different upper ports. Key components include mirror assemblies for active beam steering, an optical bench for structural support, and an interface plate for alignment with the Interspace Support Structure. The IOT subsystem operates based on detailed specifications, including mechanical, optical, and electrical designs, ensuring robustness against environmental challenges like radiation. The paper emphasizes a modular architecture enabling precise optics alignment while accommodating thermal displacements. It scrutinizes the subsystem's performance, presenting analyses such as Structural Thermal Optical Performance (STOP) and providing metrics for alignment tolerances. The document constitutes a deliverable for the Preliminary Design Review, underlining the systematic and collaborative approach essential for the successful implementation of advanced diagnostic systems within the ITER framework, vital for future fusion energy research.
    The ITER Upper Wide Angle Viewing System (UWAVS) Project outlines the technical design description for the Front End Optical Modular System (FEOMS), a critical in-vessel subsystem utilized for monitoring the divertor and ensuring machine protection within the ITER facility. Sponsored by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and executed by General Atomics, the document details the system's purpose, which includes imaging, machine protection, and advanced plasma control roles focused on capturing and relaying vital data from the plasma environment. Key components include various water-cooled mirror modules and a detailed framework describing their assembly, integration, and operational dynamics, including the design for remote handling compatibility during maintenance operations. The FEOMS subsystem utilizes a modular architecture and includes intricate cooling circuits to maintain operational integrity while addressing neutron and gamma radiation shielding requirements. The document serves as a guideline in the context of government proposals and contracts, ensuring compliance with scientific and engineering standards while supporting the iterative design process for the mirror modules and associated instrumentation. Overall, it embodies the collaborative effort to enhance diagnostic capabilities in fusion research, reflecting significant investment in advanced technological infrastructure at the ITER facility.
    The ITER 55.GA Upper Wide Angle Viewing System (UWAVS) project, developed by General Atomics under a subcontract from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, outlines the instrumentation and control architecture critical for ITER diagnostics. The UWAVS system, essential for real-time monitoring of the plasma divertor region, employs both visible and infrared cameras to gather data for machine control and scientific analysis. This document details the system's high-level hardware architecture, cubicle layouts, calibration strategies, and components involved in active alignment and environmental monitoring. Key components include cubicles housing controllers and equipment tailored to different ports, thermal management procedures for cameras, and a meticulous calibration strategy aimed at ensuring measurement accuracy amidst varying operational conditions. The design addresses challenges posed by radiation and temperature, employing radiation-hardened materials and robust control algorithms. The structured approach ensures compliance with ITER system design standards while optimizing the functionality and reliability of the UWAVS system. Overall, this document serves as a comprehensive technical guide for the UWAVS project, emphasizing its role within the larger ITER framework and underscoring the necessity of precision in diagnostics for fusion research.
    The Manufacturing Readiness Review (MRR) Procedure outlines the comprehensive process for assessing a supplier's readiness to manufacture products for the ITER facility. This procedure ensures that suppliers understand product requirements, identify potential hazards, and have a robust quality assurance plan in place prior to commencing manufacturing operations. The MRR is applicable to all primary suppliers engaged with US ITER for systems, structures, and components (SSCs) and incorporates a tiered review approach—ranging from Simplified to Full MRRs—based on the complexity and risk associated with the SSCs. Key responsibilities are assigned to different roles, including the MRR Panel, Technical Project Officer, and Supplier, ensuring thorough evaluation and documentation of findings. The document emphasizes the importance of collaboration between US ITER and the ITER Organization (IO) during this process, especially in the approval and closure of any findings. This procedure is integral to procurement arrangements within US ITER and aligns with federal grant administration and compliance protocols. It reinforces best practices for quality assurance, risk management, and project oversight, contributing to the overall success of the ITER mission.
    The "Quality Assurance Program for United States Contributions to ITER" (US ITER) outlines the framework for ensuring quality in the US ITER project, which aims to advance fusion energy technology. Published in April 2023 by Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the US Department of Energy, the document emphasizes a commitment to meeting contractual and regulatory requirements while prioritizing safety and environmental protection. The program employs a graded approach to quality management, identifying the significance of safety and quality in all project activities, which are overseen by designated organizational structures, including the Federal Project Director and the Quality Assurance Manager. The program delineates responsibilities across various management levels, mandates rigorous training for personnel, and stipulates the development of quality plans and procedures. It encompasses all phases from research and development to procurement and production processes, ensuring that quality verification and compliance are maintained. Additionally, it establishes guidelines for managing subcontractors and external partners involved in the project. The overarching goal is to uphold high standards of performance and safety, allowing the project to fulfill its objectives while managing risks associated with the complex nature of nuclear facilities. This comprehensive program serves as a model for quality assurance in federally funded initiatives, reflecting the government's commitment to effective resource allocation and operational excellence.
    The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) seeks responses from organizations to construct the Upper Wide-Angle Viewing System (UWAVS) as part of the U.S. Contributions to the ITER Project, an international fusion reactor initiative. The UWAVS aims to measure light emitted from plasma and divertor targets within the ITER tokamak, enhancing machine protection, control, and physics research. The project is currently in the final design phase with a focus on concurrent construction preparations to expedite delivery while minimizing risks. Interested entities, either individual companies or consortia, are invited to submit statements of interest detailing their capabilities, relevant experience, project and quality management skills, and adherence to the schedule. The preparation phase will involve design recommendations and prototype testing, while the production phase encompasses the fabrication, assembly, and inspection of all components needed for the UWAVS. Key deadlines include component delivery by 2029-2030 and an anticipated contract award by Q4 2025. This initiative represents a critical step in advancing fusion research and requires organizations experienced in high-precision systems for scientific applications. Interested applicants must respond by January 15, 2025, to PPPL.
    Similar Opportunities
    Presolicitation Notice for Upper Wide-Angle Viewing System (UWAVS) Ex-Vessel Subsystem
    Energy, Department Of
    The Department of Energy, through the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), is issuing a presolicitation notice for the Upper Wide Angle Viewing System (UWAVS) Ex-Vessel Subsystem, aimed at enhancing diagnostic capabilities for the ITER project. This procurement involves the manufacturing, inspection, testing, and delivery of critical components, including the Interspace Optics Tube, Bioshield Optics Labyrinth, and Back End Optics and Camera, which will provide real-time imaging of the ITER divertor region. The project is significant for advancing fusion energy research and is structured in two phases: preparation leading to a Manufacturing Readiness Review and subsequent manufacturing and testing phases. Interested suppliers are encouraged to review the draft procurement documentation and submit comments or questions to Khalif Stripling at kstripli@pppl.gov, referencing PPPL RFI26013KS UWAVS Ex-Vessel Subsystem. The formal Request for Proposals (RFPs) is expected to be released by May 2026.
    Presolicitation Notice for Upper Wide-Angle Viewing System (UWAVS) Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Subsystem
    Energy, Department Of
    The Department of Energy, through the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), is issuing a presolicitation notice for the Upper Wide-Angle Viewing System (UWAVS) Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Subsystem. This procurement aims to manufacture and test the I&C components and software for the UWAVS, which is critical for the ITER fusion energy project in France, focusing on the upper ports of the facility. The project will be executed in two phases, encompassing preparation and manufacturing, with strict adherence to quality assurance protocols and US export control laws. Interested suppliers are encouraged to review the draft procurement documentation and submit comments or questions to Khalif Stripling at kstripli@pppl.gov, referencing PPPL RFI26014KS in their correspondence. The formal Request for Proposals (RFPs) is expected to be issued by May 2026.
    BSA RFI-PVD Tool
    Energy, Department Of
    The Department of Energy, through Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), is seeking information from companies regarding their capabilities to provide a magnetron sputter deposition system for quantum device fabrication. This Request for Information (RFI) outlines the need for a highly flexible, ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) system that can perform both reactive and non-reactive sputtering with precise process control, including specific requirements for components such as a UHV sputtering chamber, integrated vacuum pumping system, and a substrate stage capable of high-temperature heating. The procurement is crucial for advancing quantum technology research, and interested vendors must submit their responses electronically by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on December 24, 2025, to Aaron Hagler at ahagler@bnl.gov, with the subject line “BSA RFI-471842.”
    Request for Proposal PR408353 Continuous Wave Laser Welder Station
    Energy, Department Of
    The Department of Energy, through UT-Battelle, LLC, is soliciting proposals for a Continuous Wave Laser Welder Station under Request for Proposal PR408353, with offers due by December 19, 2025. The procurement aims to acquire a single unit that meets specific technical specifications outlined in the attached documents, which include detailed requirements for the laser station's components and capabilities. This equipment is crucial for advanced welding applications at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, enhancing operational efficiency and precision in research and development projects. Interested vendors should direct inquiries to Kevin Nelson at nelsonkr@ornl.gov or Terri Cleveland at clevelandtd@ornl.gov, and ensure compliance with all proposal requirements, including representations and certifications, as detailed in the solicitation documents.
    HD Coldboxes Fabrication
    Energy, Department Of
    The Department of Energy, through the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), is seeking proposals for the fabrication of two high-density (HD) coldbox structures, with an option for a third unit, to support the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility/Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE-US) project. The procurement involves detailed specifications for stainless steel (SS 304) coldboxes designed to house active detectors for cold testing in cryogenic conditions, with strict adherence to quality control measures and compliance with national standards. Proposals must be submitted by 5 PM Central on December 19, 2025, and should include completed SARC and PUR-466 forms for proposals exceeding $10,000. Interested parties can direct inquiries to Spencer Keske at skeske@fnal.gov.
    Internal Audit Services
    Energy, Department Of
    The Department of Energy, through the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), is soliciting proposals for Internal Audit Services under Request for Proposal (RFP) 26-003. The objective is to ensure compliance with the Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEAR) clause 970.5232-3, requiring the selected contractor to conduct annual risk assessments, develop audit plans, and execute audits in collaboration with Princeton University's Office of Audit and Compliance. This procurement is critical for maintaining operational integrity and compliance within federally funded research initiatives. Interested firms must submit their proposals by January 21, 2026, at 4:30 PM EST, and direct any inquiries to Cheryl Colan at ccolan@pppl.gov or (609) 243-3486. The contract is structured as an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with a total value not exceeding $3 million over a potential five-year period.
    Portable Small Article Monitor for Shipboard Use
    Energy, Department Of
    The Department of Energy, through Fluor Marine Propulsion (FMP), is seeking proposals for the development of a Portable Small Article Monitor (PSAM) intended for shipboard use on nuclear vessels. The PSAM is required to replace manual frisking stations, featuring a modular design that is smaller and lighter than existing models, with specific dimensions and weight limitations to facilitate transport and operation. This device is critical for ensuring safety and compliance during servicing and maintenance at U.S. Navy shipyards, with performance specifications including the ability to detect 450 pCi of Co-60 in under 120 seconds and a user-friendly interface for operators. Proposals must be submitted by February 27, 2026, to ATIP@unnpp.gov, and should include a Quad Chart, narrative, and procurement documents, while adhering to ISO 9001:2008 quality standards. For further inquiries, interested parties may contact Jon Ruffley at Jonathan.Ruffley@unnpp.gov.
    RFI Vacuum Shell Weldment for SNS Cold Box
    Energy, Department Of
    The Department of Energy, specifically the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab), is seeking sources for the fabrication and delivery of a vacuum shell weldment as part of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) sub-atmospheric cold box replacement project. This procurement aims to identify qualified vendors capable of providing the necessary components for a critical nuclear physics research facility under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy. The vacuum shell weldment is essential for the operational integrity of the SNS, which plays a significant role in advancing research in various scientific fields. Interested parties can reach out to Ebony Beaver at beaver@jlab.org or call 757-269-7814 for further information, as there are no set-asides for this opportunity.
    Splitting of Single Quadrupole Magnets
    Energy, Department Of
    The Department of Energy, specifically the Jefferson Lab, is seeking a qualified contractor for the precision splitting and refurbishment of a 30-year-old single quadrupole magnet as part of the APS Magnet Refurbishment Project. The contractor will be responsible for separating the magnet into four quarters by machining out weld seams, non-destructively removing epoxy-encased copper coils, machining tapped holes, and fabricating custom aluminum tie plates and fixtures. This project is crucial for establishing a repeatable process for future refurbishments, ensuring meticulous handling and protection of critical components. Interested contractors can reach out to Ebony Beaver at beaver@jlab.org or call 757-269-7814 for further details.
    DUNE WIB Front Panel Materials (No Substitutes)
    Energy, Department Of
    The Department of Energy, through Brookhaven National Laboratory, is soliciting quotes for the procurement of DUNE WIB front panel materials, specifically under a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside. Vendors are required to submit their best price quotes, including freight and handling fees, along with a published price list for price justification and proof of registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). These materials are critical for the laboratory's research and development operations, emphasizing the importance of compliance with federal contracting standards as outlined in the attached terms and conditions. Interested small businesses must provide their quotes by the specified deadline to Alysha Benincase at abenincas@bnl.gov, ensuring that all submissions remain valid for 60 days.