Request for Information (RFI) 475215, Helium-Water Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC (BSA), operator of Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) under Prime Contract DE-SC0012704 for the Department of Energy (DOE). It is for information and planning purposes only and is not a solicitation or a Request for Proposal (RFP). The RFI aims to help the DOE survey available resources and understand industry capabilities related to the requirements outlined in the attached RFI document.

Interested companies are requested to provide:

• An indication of their interest in bidding on the services described.

• A brief Statement of Capabilities detailing how their company meets the outlined requirements.

• Answers to questions stated in the attached RFI document.

• Deadline: Submittals must be received by BSA no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on February 23, 2026.

• Method: Electronic submissions via email to mnichols@bnl.gov.

• Subject Line: Emails must include "BSA RFI-475215" in the subject line.

• This is NOT a Request for Proposal, and no solicitation currently exists.

• The U.S. Government will not pay for any information solicited.

• Any information received after the deadline may not be considered.

• All questions must be submitted via email to the address provided.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document is a Request for Information (RFI) seeking details regarding Helium-Water Heat Exchangers. It aims to gather information on vendor capabilities, manufacturing processes, and pricing.

• Capabilities: Vendors are asked about their experience and capabilities in manufacturing, assembling, and testing shell and tube heat exchangers for helium gas water cooling, including meeting ASME BPVC Section VIII requirements and specific leak rate specifications (10-9 Torr-L/s).
• Manufacturing Location: Inquiries are made about US manufacturing capabilities and whether the system would be manufactured in the United States, with a specific check against the FAR 25.101(a) definition of a domestic end product.
• Pricing & Schedule: Vendors are requested to provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing and their general fabrication and delivery schedule.
• Product Classification: Vendors need to specify if their proposed product is considered a commercial product per FAR 2.101.
• Registration: Companies are asked if they are registered in SAM.gov and to provide their Unique Entity Identification (UEI) Number.

This RFI is intended to inform potential future solicitations. The responses will help the government understand market capabilities and refine requirements. No direct impact on existing solicitation deadlines or requirements is indicated, as this is an information-gathering phase.

Request for Information (RFI)

This document is an RFI package from Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) regarding the "RHIC Central Helium Plant Helium-Water Heat Exchanger Replacement Project." The goal is to procure nine new helium-water shell-and-tube heat exchangers to replace existing units that cool compressed helium in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) central helium refrigeration plant. These new heat exchangers will be part of the helium refrigeration system for the future Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), which is scheduled to come online in the mid-2030s.

• Procurement of nine (9) new helium-water shell-and-tube heat exchangers.

• The overall design must minimize helium leakage.

• Cross-stream leak rate must be zero; units require mass-spec leak checking to 10-9 Torr-L/s.

• Heat exchangers must be engineered and fabricated to ASME BPVC Section VIII and be U-stamped.

• New units must fit into the same location and mate with existing plumbing, with helium on the tube-side and water on the shell-side.

• The primary document for design and fabrication requirements is Tech Spec "SPEC-CAD-1372".

• Procurement will involve fabrication, delivery, preliminary and final design reviews, design documentation, engineering calculations, fabrication drawings, material certifications, test procedures, and compliance testing.

• Vendor site visits to BNL to inspect old heat exchangers and BNL visits to vendor for fabrication and testing progress.

• Four primary intercoolers: operate at 4.5 bar helium inlet pressure, cool helium from 405 K to 305 K at 1.13 kg/s.

• Four primary aftercoolers: operate at 16.7 bar helium inlet pressure, cool helium from 405 K to 305 K at 1.13 kg/s.

• One smaller utility compressor aftercooler: operates at 17 bar helium inlet pressure, cools helium from 350 K to 308 K at 0.096 kg/s.

1. Identify qualified vendors for the future Request for Proposal (RFP).
2. Collect budgetary cost and fabrication schedule estimates.
3. Help potential vendors understand BNL procurement requirements and timelines.

This is an RFI, not a solicitation. Vendors are encouraged to provide information to help BNL understand capabilities and gather cost/schedule data. Specific submission instructions for the RFI are not detailed in this document, but it indicates a future RFP will include a Statement of Work (SOW).

Specification / Technical Document

This document outlines the technical specifications for three sets of Helium-Water heat exchangers required for the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the Electron Ion Collider (EIC) Central Cryo Plant at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). The procurement includes the design, fabrication, testing, and delivery of these heat exchangers. The primary goals are to optimize performance, minimize helium leakage, and ensure compatibility with existing infrastructure.

• Three sets of heat exchangers:

  • Two sets of four vertically stacked "Intercooler" Helium Water Heat Exchangers.
  • One set of four vertically stacked "Aftercooler" Helium Water Heat Exchangers.
  • One smaller "Utility" Helium Water Heat Exchanger.

• Design Specifications: Detailed requirements for intercooler, aftercooler, and utility heat exchangers, including fluid properties (temperatures, pressures, flow rates), thermal duty, design pressure, test pressure, and design temperature.

• Configuration: Shell-and-tube type, two-pass shell with longitudinal baffle (TEMA Type F), specific front and rear end head designs, and tube bundle configurations (U-tube or removable).

• Piping Interfaces: Specific requirements for water and helium inlet/outlet piping sizes and connections (NPT ports).

• Materials: Water side materials to be recommended by supplier (Carbon steel or Stainless steel acceptable). Helium side materials to be recommended by supplier (Copper/Ni (90/10) acceptable).

• Compliance Codes: Adherence to ASME BPVC, ASME B31.3, ASTM A269, ASTM A312, TEMA Standards, AWS D1.1/D1.6, and ASME B30.26.

• Testing: Helium leak test requirements for external and internal leaks.

• General Requirements: Lifting provisions, nameplate and marker details, vessel supports, installation instructions, and seismic design considerations.

• The document specifies technical requirements. Details regarding contract type, period of performance, and estimated value are not included in this document.

• Not applicable to this document; it outlines technical specifications for a potential solicitation.

• Not specified in this document.

• Removal of old units is outside the scope of this procurement.

• BNL will manage the integration of new heat exchangers and associated piping.

• Applicable documents, including P&IDs and General Arrangement drawings, are referenced.

• The document is Revision B and dated 12/22/2025 for approval.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an envelope drawing providing dimensional and connection details for the Central Cryogenic Compressor System Intercooler Vessel. It serves as a visual guide for the physical layout and specifications of the vessel.

• Multiple views of the intercooler vessel (front, side, top, and sections).
• Detailed dimensions for various features, including pipe connections, overall length, and diameter.
• Identification of connection ports (FN1 through FN11) with their respective sizes, service types (e.g., Helium, Water), and pressure ratings (e.g., 3000# N.P.T.).
• Notes regarding vessel supports, forklift/pallet jack provisions, and general dimensioning tolerances.
• A table listing the Mark, Service, Connection Description, Quantity, and Remarks for each port.
• Reference to other specifications and standards (e.g., SPEC-CAD-1372, ASME Y14.5 2009).

This drawing is crucial for bidders to understand the physical and spatial requirements of the intercooler vessel. It directly impacts the design, fabrication, and integration of the system, providing essential data for proposal development and ensuring compliance with physical constraints.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an "Envelope Drawing" for the Central Cryogenic Compressor System Intercooler Skid. It provides dimensional information and an isometric view for reference, likely to define the physical space requirements or constraints for the system.

• Multiple views of the intercooler skid, including front, side, and isometric perspectives.
• Dimensions for various components and overall assembly (e.g., vessel heights, connection points, overall length and width).
• Notes regarding dimensions being for reference only and specific requirements for intercooler vessel supports.
• References to other drawings and specifications (BNL DWG. 31025040, SPEC-CAD-1372 REV-A, 31025045SOW REV-A).
• Drawing number: 31025041.

This drawing is crucial for bidders to understand the physical footprint and spatial requirements of the intercooler skid. It will inform design considerations, installation planning, and ensure compatibility with the intended environment or system integration.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an "Envelope Drawing" for the Central Cryogenic Compressor System Aftercooler Vessel. It provides the overall dimensions and configuration of the vessel, serving as a reference for integration into larger systems.

• Provides multiple views (front, side, top, and detail A) of the aftercooler vessel.
• Details various ports and their descriptions (e.g., Anode, Oil Drain, Test Conn., Vent, Inspection, Outlet, Inlet).
• Specifies connection types and sizes (e.g., NPT, Weld End, SCH 40).
• Includes general notes regarding dimensions, vessel supports, and forklift/pallet jack provisions.
• Lists specific port index numbers, service types, and quantities.

This drawing is crucial for bidders to understand the physical size, connection points, and spatial requirements of the aftercooler vessel. It is essential for:

• Assessing compatibility with existing or planned infrastructure.
• Planning for installation, maintenance, and access.
• Ensuring proper integration with other system components.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an "Envelope Drawing" which provides the overall dimensions and configuration of the Central Cryogenic Compressor System Aftercooler Skid. It is intended to help bidders understand the physical space requirements and general layout of the equipment.

• The drawing displays multiple views (top, side, isometric) of the aftercooler skid.
• Key dimensions are provided in inches for various components, including vessel lengths and heights.
• It indicates "Helium Connections" and "Water Connections" and "Aftercooler Support Weldment."
• A reference is made to "BNL DWG. 31025042" for the aftercooler vessel.

This drawing is crucial for bidders to assess the physical footprint of the equipment, ensure compatibility with their proposed installation sites, and understand the general assembly of the aftercooler skid. It aids in planning for logistics, installation, and integration with other systems.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an "Envelope Drawing" for a Helium Gas Cooler System, specifically for the Utility Compressor. It provides the overall dimensions and interface information for the component.

• Component: Helium Gas Cooler System, Utility Compressor
• Drawing Type: Envelope Drawing
• Key Dimensions: Overall length (13'-4"), width (12"), and height (10"). Specific distances for bundle removal (11'-7") are noted.
• Connections: Details various inlet and outlet ports with specified sizes and ANSI ratings (e.g., 2"-300# NPT, 2"-300 ANSI-FF, 1"-150 ANSI-RF).
• Materials: Mentions "HELIUM" and "H2O" for service, and "CORR ON STL" for tubes.
• Weights: Estimated empty weight of 670# and flooded weight of 861#.
• Surface Area: 28 Sq. Ft. effective.
• Associated Contract: B-H CONT. 82-1696-4-1.

This drawing is crucial for bidders to understand the physical size, interface requirements, and connection types of the Helium Gas Cooler. It helps in assessing space constraints, integration with other systems, and ensuring compatibility with proposed solutions. It also provides details on the specific model or configuration associated with contract B-H CONT. 82-1696-4-1.