The prime contractor for the Y-12 National Security Complex will host an industry day on Jan. 15 for companies interested in building a new lithium production complex at the Oak Ridge, Tenn., site, according to a sources sought note posted online before the winter holidays.

The Bechtel-led Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) is requesting information from those interested in taking on a role in building the planned Lithium Processing Facility. Next week’s scheduled industry day will take place on site at Y-12. Anyone who wants to attend must inform CNS by Friday.

Lithium is required to produce tritium, which is an essential material for thermonuclear weapons. The National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) existing lithium production complex is around 70 years old. Like other infrastructure throughout the nuclear security enterprise, the NNSA is weary of upgrading it much more.