Explosives Manufacturing

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS) on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) to conduct market research. The objective is to identify U.S. parties capable of producing and delivering a specific high explosive chemical material, 2,6-diamino-3,5-dinitropyrazine-1-oxide (LLM-105), for national security missions. This RFI is for information gathering only and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment to contract.

• Production and delivery of several thousand pounds per year starting in 2028, scaling up to full production needs in 2029.

• Production of LLM-105 meeting specific material characteristics (high purity, low volatile, controlled residual chemistry, thermal stability, etc.), following the method in US Patent 10,836,731 B2.

• Production to occur in the United States, compliant with ITAR, with delivery to continental U.S. government sites.

• Production is estimated to begin in calendar year 2028 and continue for 5-10 years.

• Interested parties are invited to submit a capability statement addressing production and delivery requirements.

• Responses should detail technical capability, experience, production capability, infrastructure, production approach, timeline, estimated costs, environmental/safety/quality experience, and business/contracting considerations.

• Specific questions are provided regarding mixed acid nitration chemistry, analytical methods, measurement capabilities, purity requirements, current scale, facilities, ability to scale, production approach, timeline, and cost estimates.

• Capability statements are due by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on January 23, 2026, submitted electronically to johnson486@llnl.gov.

• Production must occur in the United States and be ITAR compliant.

• The RFI references US Patent 10,836,731 B2 and a publication titled "Synthetic Studies of 2,6-Diamino-3,5-Dinitropyrazine-1-Oxide (LLM-105) from Discovery to Multi-Kilogram Scale" as part of the RFI.

• An industry day will be hosted by the LLNS project team at a future date to be determined.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a research paper detailing "Synthetic Studies of 2,6-Diamino-3,5-Dinitropyrazine-1-Oxide (LLM-105) from Discovery to Multi-Kilogram Scale." It outlines various synthetic approaches and optimizations for producing LLM-105, an insensitive energetic compound.

While this document is a scientific publication and not a solicitation, it provides detailed information on the synthesis, properties, and scale-up of LLM-105. This information could be relevant to bidders if the opportunity involves the production, testing, or application of this specific energetic material. It details chemical processes, yields, purity, and characterization methods, which could inform potential bidders about the complexities and requirements associated with LLM-105.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a U.S. Patent detailing a method for precipitating and synthesizing 2,6-diamino-3,5-dinitropyrazine-1-oxide (ANPZO), also known as LLM-105. It describes a novel precipitation method using an aqueous solution containing a nitrate salt, which aims to produce ANPZO particles with improved morphology, size, purity, and thermal stability compared to existing methods.

• Precipitation Method: Involves adding an acidic medium containing ANPZO to an aqueous solution with a nitrate salt.
• Synthesis Method: Converts 2,6-diaminopyrazine-1-oxide (DAPO) to ANPZO via nitration in an acid medium, followed by precipitation using the described method.
• Key Improvements: Aims to produce ANPZO particles with an aspect ratio of no more than 2, a median size of at least 35 µm, high purity (>99.5%), and high thermal stability (decomposition around 350° C.).
• Reagents: Primarily uses nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and a nitrate salt (e.g., ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate) in the aqueous solution.
• Experimental Data: Includes detailed examples of synthesis, SEM images of particles, DSC thermograms, HPLC chromatograms, and various analytical data (stability, volatile material rate, elemental analysis, thermomechanical tests) to support the claims.

This patent describes a specific chemical synthesis and precipitation process for ANPZO. Bidders involved in opportunities requiring ANPZO or similar energetic materials may find this information relevant for understanding potential manufacturing methods, material properties, and intellectual property considerations related to the production of this compound.