LOAD BANKS SETTING ADJUSTMENTS

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 who would like to provide services.

The Materials Fuels Complex (MFC) has a Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF) where there are two stand-by diesel generators (SDG) to provide power in case of a power outage. Each generator has a variable load bank (VLB) connected in parallel with the loads of the facility. Having these two VLBs in combination with the loads of the facility ensures constant output power from the generators.

During periods of running the load banks with the generators, the site load correction did not step down to shed load as building load levels picked up. This causes the load to not shed when the selector switch is at higher selected positions. After troubleshooting and contacting previous technicians on this issue, it was determined that the VLBs will need to be reprogramed.

BACKGROUND

Currently, the load banks are set to a maximum load of 400kW, but we need them to be set to 200kW. To avoid overloading, the load banks are administratively controlled and locked to restrict full utilization. BEA is seeking a subcontractor to reprogram the load banks to the correct settings.

The subcontractor will be required to reprogram the VLB controlling software by modifying the maximum threshold load limits from 400kW to 200kW. This involves accessing the controlling software for the VLBs (Sigma 2 Diagnostics or similar), unlocking the settings, and digitally adjusting the maximum limits for both VLBs (S-LB-003 and S-LB-004). After making these changes, the subcontractor will conduct a load test on the generators to ensure neither VLB exceeds 200kW when set to maximum.

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

Interested firms are requested to provide expressions of interest via email by close-of business on 08/14/2025. Responses must include sufficient written information to clearly show how the responder will complete the service listed in section 2 of this request.

Note that responses must be no more than three (3) pages in length in PDF format. Only select respondents, as determined by BEA, will receive an invitation to participate in the anticipated Request for Proposal (RFP) solicitation.

If you have questions, or need additional information, please contact Fabiola Sorenson, Contract Specialist, via email at fabiola.sorenson@inl.gov the subject line “Load Banks Setting Adjustments”, any technical questions must be submitted in writing via email.

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

Because information received in response to this EOI may be business sensitive or proprietary to the responding party, respondents must mark information in their responses accordingly.