Seismic Resilience of Large Power Transformers: Shake Table Test
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
Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), managing the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Idaho National Laboratory (INL), is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from industry providers. The EOI aims to gather information and potential partnerships for solutions to increase the seismic resilience of large power transformers. INL is conducting large-scale shake table testing in San Diego, CA, focusing on a novel bushing decoupler system and seismic base isolation. Responses are due by June 1, 2026.
Scope of Work
INL is developing a low-cost, retrofittable bushing decoupler system to prevent transformer bushing failure during earthquakes. This system, along with seismic base isolation, will undergo large-scale shake table testing of a fully dressed 230 kV power transformer at the University of California San Diego Large High Performance Outdoor Shake Table (LHPOST) facility. INL is seeking industry partners to:
- Provide feedback on test plans.
- Suggest additional experimental approaches.
- Potentially contribute funds and equipment for concurrent testing or extensions, depending on the scope of involvement.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Expression of Interest (EOI) / Sources Sought
- Purpose: Market research and industry engagement for future potential collaboration.
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: June 1, 2026 (close of business)
- Published: May 27, 2025
- Place of Performance: San Diego, CA
Evaluation
Responses will be used to identify potentially qualified offerors. Only those deemed qualified by BEA will be contacted for further discussions or the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the project.
Additional Notes
- Submission: Responses must be no more than 2 pages in length, in PDF format, and submitted via email.
- Proprietary Information: Respondents must mark any business-sensitive or proprietary information.
- Contacts: Bjorn Vaagensmith (Bjorn.Vaagensmith@inl.gov and Small.Business@inl.gov) and Jake Gentle (jake.gentle@inl.gov).
- Subject Line: "Response to Seismic Resilience of Large Power Transformers: Shake Table Test" for all email correspondence.
- Technical Questions: Must be submitted in writing via email no later than 3 days prior to the final submission deadline.