Request for Proposal: 400G Network Fabric

SOL #: 6-B162-P-00066-00Solicitation

Overview

Buyer

Energy

Energy, Department Of

ARGONNE NATL LAB - DOE CONTRACTOR

Lemont, IL, 60439, United States

Place of Performance

NAICS

Electronic Computer Manufacturing (334111)

PSC

Digital Network Communications Hardware, Software, And Other Equipment Used Within The Core Data Centers And Work Areas, Connecting End Users To The Organization's Local Area Network (Lan). Wide Area Network (Wan) Digital Transmission Equipment, Supporting Hardware And Software Directly Connecting Data Centers, Offices And Third Parties. Includes 1) External Digital Network Transport Equipment (Outside Plant) Physical Communications Infrastructure Connecting To Lan/Wan End Points 2) Copper And Fiber Communications Systems, And 3) Cellular Infrastructure Such As Towers, Repeaters, Switching Systems Dedicated For Cellular Communication. Products And Tools That Enable Or Distribute Voice Services Through On Premise Digital Equipment Including Pbx, Vo Ip, Voicemail And Handsets. (7G21)

Set Aside

No set aside specified

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/efa50ccde3f84375af2b8ece6a4bb020/view

Timeline

Posted

Jan 8, 2026

Last Updated

Jan 29, 2026

Submission Deadline

Feb 6, 2026, 11:00 PM

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

UChicago Argonne, LLC, operator of Argonne National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy, is seeking proposals for a 400 Gigabit Ethernet (400GbE) Network Fabric. This Request for Proposal (RFP) aims to acquire and install a complete network fabric system, including hardware, software, licensing, maintenance, support, and installation services, for the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF). The award will be based on a Best Value/Trade-Off methodology. Proposals are due by February 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM CST.

Scope of Work

The project requires a 400GbE network fabric to interconnect computational resources, data storage, and data acquisition instruments at the ALCF. Key requirements include:

Hardware & Software: A complete 400GbE system, including currently-shipping General Availability hardware and software, with perpetual licenses.
Design: Non-blocking Clos topology, self-discovering, self-healing, and fully redundant components.
Performance: Minimum 512 non-blocking 400GbE Edge Ports (scalable to 8192), low latency (<32µs, preference <16µs), and deep buffers (minimum 32GB).
Compatibility: Backward compatible with 100GbE and forward compatible with 800GbE, 1.6TbE, and Ultra Ethernet.
Support: Five years of maintenance and support, with a commitment for 10-15 years of product lifecycle support, including 24-hour Support Engineer availability and next-business-day hardware replacement.
Installation: On-site installation at Building 240 Data Center, Argonne National Laboratory, IL, including professional cabling and on-site training.
Cybersecurity: Robust vulnerability identification, timely patch releases, and secure credential management.

Contract & Timeline

Opportunity Type: Solicitation (RFP No. 6-B162-P-00066-00)
Set-Aside: None specified.
Response Date: February 6, 2026, 5:00 PM CST
Published Date: January 8, 2026
Place of Performance: Argonne National Laboratory, Building 240 Data Center, Lemont, IL 60439, United States.

Submission & Evaluation

Proposals must be submitted via email to jsladetz@anl.gov in three separate files: Technical Proposal, Business Management Proposal, and Cost/Price Proposal.

Evaluation Criteria: Award will be based on Best Value, considering the highest-rated Technical Proposal with the lowest proposed cost. Technical proposals receive adjective ratings, while Cost/Price is judged on realism. A Contractor Responsibility Determination (pass/fail) is also conducted.
Key Documents: Bidders must complete and submit Enclosure No. 5 (ANL-70B Reps & Certs) and use Enclosure No. 3 (Pricing Proposal Form). Compliance with Enclosure No. 2C (ANL-366M Supplemental Conditions) and Enclosure No. 2D (ANL-366TCSB Insurance Requirements) is mandatory for on-site work.
Questions: Requests for explanations/interpretations are due by January 23, 2026, 3:00 PM CST.
Validity: Proposals must be valid for at least 120 days.