Furnishing of Industrial Articulated Robotic Arms and Associated Hardware and Software

I. 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 furnish articulated robotic arms, end effectors, computer control systems, audio/video hardware, and human-machine interface (HMI) software. The specificity applied to these desired components varies and is open to suggestion by prospective Offerors.This EOI shall serve as a method of identifying qualified firms interested in providing listed components to INL. Participation in the activities described herein neither prequalifies nor disqualifies the prospective Offeror for later material supply to INL. Requests for Proposals (RFPs) may be issued as a result of responses from this EOI.II. BACKGROUND INL, and other many industrial facilities, have a variety of remote work environments for handling hazardous materials. These environments include hot

cells, dark cells, gloveboxes, and large-scale material handling facilities. Work and systems for these environments involve highly complex operations, extensive system and facilities interfaces, and significant schedule, budget, and safety risks if errors occur. Additionally, access to the actual work environment for planning activities may be unavailable due to existing hazards or fully utilized workspaces. These circumstances elicit the need for mockup and prototyping facilities where operations, systems, and individual components can be developed, tested, modified, and proven for use in remote work environments. Re establishing such facilities for each new application or need would likely be cost and schedule prohibitive for many organizations.For these reasons, INL seeks to establish a Remote Work Mockup and Prototype Laboratory (RWMPL). The RWMPL will provide high capital cost or long-lead time systems for remote work such as articulated robotic arms, traditional telemanipulators, remotely-operated crane hooks, etc. with opportunities to configure the laboratory to simulate diverse remote work environments. The RWMPL will permit user organizations to conduct design development, prototype testing, mockup demonstration, analysis of alternatives, and operator training in realistic remote work environments relevant to the user organizations active facilities.III. REQUESTBEA is seeking qualified firms to compete for developing, integrating, furnishing, and shipping a complete system of industrial articulated robotic arms. Qualifications of prospective Offerors shall include:• Experience with furnishing industrial robotic systems.o Special emphasis is given to experience with systems conducive to highly changeable conditions, unique, one-time operations, or in process development tasks.• Experience with industrial robotic systems using multiple control/HMI methods (computer input, physical master arm control, virtual reality manipulation, etc.).• Experience with specific components or suppliers described in section IV.• Capable of delivering the contracted items within 12 weeks after receipt of order.IV. WORK DESCRIPTION Based on INL-provided technical ordering data, prospective Offerors shall be able to furnish the following components/systems:1) One medium-scale industrial robotic arm with the following characteristics:a) Integral safety features allowing operation near personnel (“cobot”).b) End-effector force capability approximately equivalent to lifting 30 kg.c) Operating area approximately four (4) m3.d) Stationary and translating rail mounting capability.e) Simple end-effector changeout.f) Compatibility with a variety of input methods.g) Compliant with ANSI R15.606, ISO-15066, ISO-10218, ISO-13849, or other equivalent industrial safety standards.2) One small-scale industrial robotic arm with the following characteristics:a) Integral safety features allowing operation near personnel (“cobot”).b) End-effector force capability approximately equivalent to lifting 5 kg.c) An operating area of approximately two (2) m3.d) Stationary and translating rail mounting capability.e) Simple end-effector changeout.f) Compatible with a variety of input methods.g) Compliant with ANSI R15.606, ISO-15066, ISO-10218, ISO-13849, or other equivalent industrial safety standards.3) Translating rail approximately three (3) m in length, suitable for mounting on stands, workbenches, etc.4) Camera systems for observing the work area and operating robotic arms.5) Necessary hardware for items 1) through 4) such as:a) Pinch grip end effectors. Other, additional end-effectors may be proposed.b) Robot mounting hardware for stationery and translating rail configurations.c) Computer and network hardware.d) Data and power cabling.6) Olis Robotics remote control system (hardware and software) compatible with the furnished robotic arms, or equivalent command-based robot control system.7) Extend Robotics remote control system (hardware and software) compatible with the furnished robotic arms, or equivalent VR input-based robot control system.8) Other style control systems as recommended by the prospective Offeror.9) Configuration, programming, setup, or other preparatory services as required for system operation.V. APPLICABLE CODES, PROCEDURES, AND REFERENCESANSI R15.606: Collaborative Robot SafetyISO-15066: Collaborative Robot SafetyISO-10218: Robots and robotic devicesISO-13849: Safety of machineryhttps://www.olisrobotics.com/https://www.extendrobotics.com/VI. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTSInterested Offerors are requested to provide expressions of interest to the undersigned by close-of-business on April 29, 2024. Included must be sufficient written information confirming the responder’s qualifications that addresses each of the following criteria: • Experience with furnishing industrial robotic systems.o Special emphasis is given to experience with systems operated in highly changeable conditions, for unique, one-time operations, or in process development tasks.• Experience with industrial robotic systems using multiple control/HMI methods (command input, physical movement duplication, virtual reality manipulation, etc.).• Experience with specific components or suppliers described in section IV.• Capability to meet applicable safety, regulatory and code compliance as listed. • Name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a representative of your Firm who can answer questions regarding this request for Expression of Interest.Only potentially qualified Offerors, as determined by BEA, may receive the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the project. As determined by BEA, responders to this EOI may receive an RFP that may require detailed technical and price proposals be submitted for evaluation and ranking under a source selection process. Based on the responses to this EOI, BEA will determine the source selection process. A low price/technically acceptable award process is expected. Under this award process, proposals will be evaluated against the RFP criteria to determine the successful Offeror. Interested firms are advised that the RFP release is anticipated in early May 2024, and the source selection/award decision is anticipated in late May 2024. BEA anticipates issuing a Contract or Purchase order for the furnishing of one (1) or more industrial articulated robotic arms and associated hardware and software. If you have questions, need additional information, or need to speak with a BEA Point of Contact, please contact Brett Horsburgh via email at Brett.Horsburgh@inl.gov. Technical questions must be submitted via email.