SR Power Supplies Rack Detailed Design for ALS-U
ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF.ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF.BERKELEY NATL LAB - DOE CONTRACTOR · Response deadline: Tue, 20 Oct 2026
What the government is buying
The U.S. Department of Energy, through Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), is seeking engineering services for the detailed design of storage ring (SR) power supplies rack as part of the Advanced Light Source Upgrade (ALS-U) project. ALS-U is a major upgrade of Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source, a synchrotron light source facility that produces X-rays for scientific research.
This procurement falls under NAICS 541330 — Engineering Services. Work at this classification code typically involves applying physical laws and principles of engineering in the design, development, and utilization of machines, materials, instruments, structures, processes, and systems. For accelerator projects like ALS-U, this commonly includes electrical engineering design for power supply systems, rack layout and integration, cooling and cabling infrastructure, and documentation to manufacturing standards. The "detailed design" scope suggests this is beyond conceptual work — it likely involves finalized specifications, drawings, and technical packages suitable for fabrication and installation.
Given Berkeley Lab's role as a DOE national laboratory managing its own contracts under the Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) framework, this procurement follows the lab's delegated authority rather than direct federal Acquisition Regulations in all respects. See the solicitation for precise technical scope, deliverables, and performance requirements.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of Energy — Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | AA-2027-01 |
| NAICS | 541330 (Engineering Services) |
| Set-aside | No Set aside used |
| Response deadline | October 19, 2026, 11:59 PM PT |
| Place of performance | Berkeley, California |
Who can bid
This is a full and open competition with no set-aside program, meaning any qualified business — regardless of size or socio-economic status — may compete. Small businesses are eligible but receive no preferential consideration through set-aside mechanisms.
Given the technical nature of accelerator power supply design, likely bidders include:
- Engineering firms with experience in high-power electronics, pulsed power, or DC power supply systems
- Firms with DOE national laboratory or accelerator facility experience
- Companies familiar with UL/CE marking, NEC compliance, and Lab safety requirements
- Small businesses with relevant niche expertise in synchrotron or particle accelerator engineering
No small business size standard advantage applies in evaluation, but small firms with specialized capabilities can still win on technical merit and price.
How to put together a competitive bid
For NAICS 541330 engineering design work at a DOE national lab, focus your proposal on:
Demonstrate direct relevance to accelerator or similar complex systems. ALS-U is a precision scientific facility — generic power supply design experience carries less weight than synchrotron, fusion energy, or high-energy physics accelerator backgrounds. Highlight specific rack designs you've delivered for comparable environments (cleanroom compatibility, EMI/RFI considerations, water cooling integration).
Address Berkeley Lab's unique requirements. As a CPSR lab, Berkeley Lab has established supplier qualification processes, safety culture (including Electrical Safety Work Practices), and may require specific quality assurance plans. Reference prior contract performance with Berkeley Lab, SLAC, Argonne, or other DOE labs if applicable.
Emphasize design-to-manufacturing rigor. "Detailed design" implies production-ready outputs — CAD models, schematics, BOMs, cable schedules, and vendor coordination. Clarify your engineering review gates, configuration management, and how you handle design changes during fabrication support.
Plan for on-site integration. The Berkeley, California place of performance suggests substantial work at the lab. Address your team's availability for site visits, interface meetings with ALS-U mechanical and controls teams, and installation support.
Price strategically. With no set-aside, you'll likely compete against large engineering firms. Small businesses should emphasize efficiency, principal-level attention, and lower overhead while ensuring you can absorb the indirect costs of DOE subcontracting (allowable cost audits, intellectual property terms, progress reporting).
See the solicitation for specific evaluation criteria, page limits, and required certifications.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number AA-2027-01. The synopsis provides minimal technical detail; the full solicitation contains the statement of work, deliverables schedule, evaluation factors, and contractual terms (likely incorporating Berkeley Lab's standard subcontract provisions for DOE-funded work).
Confirm your registration status in SAM.gov, with active CAGE code and all required representations and certifications current.
Note the deadline: Responses are due October 19, 2026, by 11:59 PM Pacific Time — approximately two weeks from the October 6, 2026 posting date. Given the technical complexity, this is a compressed timeline; assess immediately whether you can prepare a compliant response.
Contact the contracting officer listed in the full solicitation with any questions; given the short response period, submit clarification requests promptly.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →