CALL FOR COMMERCIALIZATION PARTNERS: Plasma Liner Experiment (PLX)
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
Triad National Security, LLC, on behalf of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), has issued a Call for Commercialization Partners for the Plasma Liner Experiment (PLX). This initiative seeks qualified commercial entities to advance, commercialize, and deploy PLX, a novel platform for plasma-jet-driven magneto-inertial fusion (PJMIF) and high-energy plasma applications. Partners are sought from the aerospace, fusion, and advanced energy sectors. Commercialization Plans are due October 4, 2025.
Purpose & Scope
LANL is looking for partners committed to a phased, multi-year commercialization plan for PLX. This involves relocating the PLX platform from LANL, developing and implementing a roadmap for both short- and long-term markets, and deploying the technology into high-demand short-term markets while simultaneously advancing fusion development. The PJMIF concept, originated at LANL in 2010, uses high-speed plasma jets to compress a magnetized plasma target to achieve fusion conditions.
Key Requirements / Deliverables
Partners are expected to:
- Relocate the PLX platform from LANL.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive roadmap for short-term (e.g., aerothermal/ablation testing, component survivability for hypersonics, directed energy systems) and long-term (e.g., grid-scale fusion energy) markets.
- Deploy the platform into identified high-demand short-term markets.
- Engage in technology transfer agreements such as License Agreements (minimum for IP rights), Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA), or Strategic Partnership Projects (SPP-NFE).
Technology Details
PLX has achieved significant milestones, including operating 36-gun and 6-gun arrays, demonstrating liner symmetry, and developing real-time diagnostics. It aims to achieve deuterium target compression by mid-2026. Key features include a hybrid fusion model, non-destructive operation, scalable architecture, compact footprint, and high repetition potential. The technology has a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3 and is patent pending (App. 63/725137).
Submission & Evaluation
Commercialization Plans must be submitted to PLXT2M@lanl.gov by October 4, 2025. Submissions will be evaluated based on technical capability and experience, financial capacity and funding strategy, commercialization vision and market fit, team qualifications, and alignment with DOE/LANL mission and national security objectives. Partner selection and notification are scheduled for November 15, 2025, with technology transfer agreements targeted for March 2026.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Special Notice (Call for Commercialization Partners)
- Response Due: October 4, 2025 (for Commercialization Plans)
- Published Date: March 24, 2026 (Notice published on SAM.gov)
- Document Posted: September 5, 2025
- Set-Aside: None specified.
Additional Notes
This call is not a solicitation for procurement or licensing negotiations. Qualified respondents will be invited for follow-up discussions and may receive requests for full business proposals. Potential short-term applications could generate $5-20M per customer, with estimated transfer and installation costs around $0.7M.