CFA-686 Carbon-based Fuels Capability - CO2 Storage Vessel

INTRODUCTION 

Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), Management & Operating Contractor of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) owned Idaho National Laboratory (INL), is seeking an Expression of Interest (EOI) from prospective offerors to support the design, fabrication, testing, and inspection of a pressure vessel for the Central Facilities Area (CFA) Carbon-based Fuels Capability. 

PROCESS 

BEA is seeking qualified firms to compete for the design/build contract in support of the CFA-686 CO2 Storage Vessel (V-738). As determined by BEA, responders to this EOI may receive a Request for Proposal (RFP) that will require detailed technical and price proposals be provided for evaluation and ranking under a source selection process. 

Interested firms are advised that RFP release and the source selection/award decision timeline will be communicated following review of submitted EOIs. The contract award type will be firm-fixed price. Per the project schedule, all durations are After Receipt of Order (ARO): ASME Code design and analysis (3 weeks), shop fabrication drawings (4 weeks), WPS/PQR submittal and approval (3 weeks), complete shop fabrication including cleaning (25 weeks), install heating elements and insulate vessel (26 weeks), ship vessel to INL (27 weeks), and submission of the final Code Data Report, as-built drawings, and all other deliverables (28 weeks). 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION 

The vessel will be designed, fabricated, inspected, and delivered for the INL Central Facilities Area (CFA) Carbon-based Fuels Capability (CFA-686). The vessel, designated V-738, is a 200 cubic foot ASME BPVC Section VIII, Division 1 code "U" stamped pressure vessel for gaseous CO2 service, with a design pressure of 1,800 psig and a design temperature range of -40°F to 500°F. 

The vessel is a horizontal configuration with two saddle supports spaced 16 feet apart, a 36-inch inner diameter, minimum 2-inch shell thickness, minimum 1-inch hemispherical head thickness, and an overall shell length of 26 feet 3-1/2 inches. The vessel includes seven nozzles (inlet, outlet, five inspection ports, a low point drain, a pressure relief nozzle, and two instrumentation ports), nine band heating elements (3.6 kW total) to maintain the vessel above 150°F, and Foamglas (or equivalent) insulation with protective aluminum sheathing. 

The vessel will be installed outdoors at INL in a high desert environment, with an altitude of 4,900 ft, ambient temperatures ranging from -40°F to 100°F, and exposure to wind, blowing sand, dust, snow, and frost. The vessel must be designed for static, seismic, and wind loading in accordance with IBC 2024, ASCE 7-10, and ACI 318-19, and fabricated from 304/304L stainless steel pressure boundary materials. 

Specific fabrication drawings, foundation details, and design calculations will be provided to qualified offerors as part of the RFP process. 

PROCESS 

This EOI is the first step in identifying interested and qualified vendors for future solicitation. Responses may be used to inform the development of a formal solicitation list. Selected vendors may be invited to participate in a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for award consideration. 

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS 

Interested firms are requested to provide expressions of interest to Chase Egbert (chase.egbert@inl.gov) by close-of-business on 10/16/2026. Included must be sufficient written information confirming the responder's qualifications addressing each of the following criteria: 

• Experience in ASME BPVC Section VIII, Division 1 pressure vessel design and fabrication, including possession of a current "U" stamp certificate for both design and fabrication. 

• Experience with stainless steel pressure vessel welding, including full penetration butt welds, 100% radiography, and carbide precipitation control during welding. 

• Capability to meet the design/build schedule outlined above. 

• Capability to fabricate the vessel in the required configuration, including nozzle arrangement, saddle supports, band heating elements, and insulation system. 

• Proper identification and execution plan for inspection, examination, and testing, including hydrostatic testing, positive material identification, liquid penetrant testing, and radiography or phased array ultrasonic testing. 

• Agreement to maintain a written Quality Control System consistent with ASME BPVC Section VIII Division 1, Mandatory Appendix 10. 

• Compliance with ASME BPVC Section VIII Division 1, Mandatory Appendix 47 requirements for pressure vessel design. 

• Availability of a qualified and experienced project manager and Quality Control Manager to oversee the work. 

Note that responses must be no more than 5 pages in length. Only potentially qualified offerors, as determined by BEA, will receive the RFP for the project. Interested individuals are advised that the selection decision is anticipated in November 2026.  

If you have questions, need additional information, or need to speak with a BEA Point of Contact, please contact the following via email: 

Project Manager -  Ben Bryson - Benjamin.Bryson@inl.gov 

Project Engineer -  Chris Dudley-  Christopher.Dudley@inl.gov 

 Technical questions must be submitted in writing via email.