Mirror Benders
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 Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, operated by Stanford University, has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the fabrication and delivery of LCLS-II-HE Mirror Benders. This is a Firm Fixed Price Subcontract opportunity. Proposals are due by May 29, 2026, at 5:00 PM Pacific.
Opportunity Details
SLAC is seeking qualified offerors to fabricate, assemble, test, and deliver eight (8) mirror bender assemblies and associated supplemental components for the Linac Coherent Light Source II High-Energy (LCLS-II-HE) project. These benders are critical for the Dynamic X-ray Scattering (DXS), Coherent X-ray Imaging (CXI), and Macromolecular Femtosecond Crystallography (MFX) beamlines.
Scope of Work
The scope involves the supply of specific mirror bender types and quantities, with proposed delivery timelines ranging from 24 to 40 weeks After Receipt of Order (ARO). Key technical requirements, detailed in the Engineering Specifications Document (ESD) and Statement of Work (SOW), include:
- Design and fabrication of mirror benders capable of accurate mirror shape control (elliptic, parabolic, hyperbolic) in both convex and concave directions.
- Compatibility with Level 1 LCLS Vacuum Policy and functionality at ~20°C, with bakeability to 125°C.
- Design features such as stress-free kinematic mounting, twist-correction, safety mechanisms, and protective covers.
- Integration of a "chin guard" with a SiC aperture and thermal monitoring.
- Active cooling system for the mirror, actuators, and chin guard.
- Performance specifications requiring tangential optical profile accuracy (<1 nm RMS figure error) and shape stability (<100 nrad over 5 days).
- Adherence to SLAC specifications for cleaning processes, UHV clean assembly, and shipping.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price Subcontract.
- Product Service Code: 6640 (Laboratory Equipment And Supplies).
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- Proposal Due Date: May 29, 2026, 5:00 PM Pacific.
- Clarification Request Due: May 15, 2026, 5:00 PM PST.
- Proposal Validity: 90 days after submission.
Submission & Evaluation
Proposals must be submitted electronically as separate PDF documents for Technical (Volume I, max 50 pages) and Business (Volume II) components to Giang Ngo (giangn@slac.stanford.edu).
- Evaluation: Best Value Trade Off (BVTO) source selection, with technical factors being more important than business factors and price.
- Technical Proposal (Volume I): Will be evaluated on ability to meet technical requirements (data package, engineering drawings), manufacturing capabilities (including lower-tier subcontractors, metrology, Quality Assurance Program), past performance, and major milestones/delivery schedule.
- Business Proposal (Volume II): Will be evaluated on price (completeness, realism, reasonableness), financial stability (Dun & Bradstreet report or audited statements), and acceptance/exceptions to contractual terms.
- SLAC intends to award without discussions but reserves the right to conduct them.
Key Requirements for Offerors
- Must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) and comply with E-Verify.
- Required to submit Section A (Subcontract Award Form), Section H (Key Personnel Clause), Section K (Representations and Certifications, Buy American Act Certification), and Section L attachments (Request for Clarifications, Technical and Business Checklist).
- All questions must be directed in writing to Giang Ngo, the sole point of contact.