LQ3 InfiniBAND CLUSTER
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Fermi Research Alliance (FRA), a DOE contractor, is soliciting firm-fixed-price quotations for an LQ3 InfiniBAND CLUSTER, a High-Performance Computing (HPC) farm. This Solicitation requires the purchase and on-site integration of 52 servers (Infiniband, Luster, and administrative nodes) at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, IL. The project falls under Prime Contract No. DE 89243024CSC000002 with the U.S. Department of Energy. Proposals are due March 6, 2026, at 2:00 pm EST.
Scope of Work
The acquisition involves a complete Infiniband HPC farm (LQ3). This includes 36 base compute servers (AMD EPYC Turin 9355, 1.5TB DDR5 RAM, NVIDIA ConnectX-7 400Gb/s NDR IB), 4 Luster OSS servers, 4 Luster Admin servers, 2 Luster AMD MDS servers, Infiniband rack components (NVIDIA 64-port switch, cables), and system rack components (47U racks, Ethernet switches, PDUs). Vendors must utilize existing Fermilab racks and perform all physical installation and integration work on-site. A 5-year warranty covering all parts, materials, and labor is mandatory, commencing after a 15-day acceptance test period.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP)
- Set-Aside: None specified (Open Competition)
- Response Due: March 6, 2026, 2:00 pm EST
- Published Date: February 17, 2026
- Place of Performance: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL
- Product Service Code: 7G21 (Digital Network Communications Hardware, Software, And Other Equipment)
Submission Requirements
Bidders must submit a comprehensive proposal package electronically to Ryan Hairston (hairston@fnal.gov). Required documents include:
- Completed RFQ Form RH-373289
- Subcontractor Annual Representations & Certifications (SARC)
- PUR-466 Proposal Certifications
- Completed and signed Exhibit A (ES&H requirements)
- Technical Proposal (including Attachment C worksheet, rack configuration diagram, power efficiency curves)
- Cost Proposal (including Attachment D worksheet)
- Vendor Questionnaire (Attachment E)
- Delivery and Server Integration Plan
- Statement of Warranty A Certificate of Insurance, meeting specified minimum limits for General, Auto, Excess/Umbrella, Worker's Comp, and Employer's Liability, and naming Fermi Research Alliance, LLC, the University of Chicago, Universities Research Association, Inc., and the U.S. Government as additional insureds, is required prior to award.
Evaluation Criteria
Award will be made using a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) source selection process. Non-cost evaluation factors for technical acceptability include conformance with procurement specifications, delivery (FOB Destination), references, and the warranty of products and services.
Compliance & Safety
Bidders must demonstrate adherence to extensive Environment, Safety, and Health (ES&H) requirements detailed in Exhibit A. This includes submitting an ES&H program, conducting hazard analyses for high-risk activities, adhering to specific reporting and training protocols, and complying with federal (DOE, OSHA, EPA), national, and state regulations for worksite conditions.