Warehousing, Equipment Receipt, and Pre‑Shipment Support

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding RFI 03122026CM, clarifying requirements for potential future solicitations related to equipment modification, storage, and handling.

• Radiation Source Handling & Storage: Sources are generally exempt quality, requiring secure storage. Californium may require NRC licensing. Cesium is UN2910 (exempt). All sources must be securely stored.
• Function Testing Training: Battelle will provide a 3-5 day on-site training at the contractor's facility, including all materials and documentation. The contractor determines the number of trainees.
• Workspace Requirements: Standard 120v electrical is sufficient. No specific requirements for workbench layout, specialized tools, or environmental conditions beyond typical equipment storage.
• Expedited Shipments: One expedited shipment per year is anticipated, with one business day notification during operating hours. Costs are typically managed by a third-party freight forwarder.
• Real-Time Inventory System: Battelle will provide specifications and API documentation. The contractor will design the system independently, with read-only user access. Reporting capabilities are not currently required.
• Warehouse Location & Specifications: The warehouse must be in the contiguous U.S. and provide year-round climate-controlled indoor storage (50-77 degrees F) with relative humidity below 55%.
• Equipment Volume: Assume equipment will occupy 60-75% of the warehouse.
• Modifications: Anticipated modifications are primarily physical configuration changes.
• Security: Facility clearance is not required for contractor personnel.

This Q&A document clarifies several key aspects of the RFI, including storage requirements, training logistics, facility needs, and system integration. Potential bidders should use these clarifications to refine their understanding of the scope and requirements for any subsequent solicitation. The RFP timing is currently unknown, and the contract structure is TBD.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by Battelle Memorial Institute, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington. It is a market research effort to gather information for planning purposes regarding a warehouse provider. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation, and no contract will be awarded based on responses.

• Warehousing/Storage Facility: Approximately 20,000 SqFt facility with 2-high warehouse racking, 60-75% utilization rate, adequate staging space, one loading dock, and two forklifts. Must be secure, climate, and pest controlled, located in the U.S. Capability to store and maintain Battelle-provided radiation check sources (e.g., cesium-137, californium-252) is required.

• Equipment Receipt and Storage: Receive, inspect, verify quantities, and store Battelle-provided equipment. Perform function tests within five business days of receipt and report issues within three business days. Provide real-time inventory status.

• Procurement of Equipment and Materials: Procure NSDD program equipment (e.g., radioisotope identifiers, survey meters, computers) and materials (e.g., shipping supplies, lead kits) as directed. This includes obtaining warranty, hazardous material safety sheets, export control information, and shipping documentation. Also includes procuring non-hazardous batteries and battery testing/charging equipment.

• Modification Support: Perform minor modifications to program equipment as directed, potentially requiring coordination with original equipment manufacturers or other vendors.

• Pre-shipment Preparation: Coordinate shipments for export or domestic transport. Ensure DOT compliant handling, packing, and labeling for hazardous and regulated shipments. Requires at least one employee trained in hazardous material categories (Class 2.2, 3, 7, 9).

• Questions Due: March 23, 2026

• RFI Responses Due: April 10, 2026

• Response Format: Inform Battelle of interest via email as soon as possible. Responses should include identifying information (company details, points of contact, small business status, ownership location, warehouse location) and comments on proposed requirements for improvement or clarification. Responses are limited to five pages (12-point font minimum). Attachments are permitted but not included in the page limit.

• Minimum of two (2) years' experience in warehouse management.

• Project Manager and Warehouse Supervisor to have a minimum of three (3) years' experience.

• Preference for U.S. Government contracting experience and experience providing logistical support.

• Cory Miller, Senior Contracts Specialist

• Phone: (509) 375-7558

• Email: Cory.Miller@pnnl.gov

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Radiation Isotope Identification Detector Functionality Checklist" intended to guide users through verifying the operational status and completeness of equipment before deployment or after use. It serves as a quality assurance tool for the Radiation Isotope Identification Detector (RIID).

• Information Section: Fields for Date, Destination, Verified by, Model, and Serial Number.
• Equipment & Accessories Checklist: Verifies the condition of the shipping case and the presence of all listed components (A-J on page 1, K-O on page 2), including the RIID itself, power supplies, cables, and adapters.
• NSDD Maintenance Toolbox (NMT) Section: Outlines steps to connect the RIID to the NMT software on a PC, verify status categories, collect background readings, start and complete an assessment, and export reports.
• Functional Check Section: Details procedures for checking charger functionality, device power-on, indicator verification, identification result accuracy, and data offloading to USB.
• Outgoing Deployment Final Preparation Section: Provides steps for verifying advanced mode password, setting clock and time zone, setting language, deleting event data, returning to the main screen, powering off the device, removing batteries, and returning all items to the case.

This checklist is crucial for bidders to understand the expected condition and operational readiness of the Radiation Isotope Identification Detector. It details the required components, the software interface (NMT), and the specific functional tests that must be passed. Bidders may need to demonstrate their understanding of these procedures or ensure their proposed solution aligns with these operational requirements and equipment specifications.