Amendment #4 to RFA: DE-FOA-0000001
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
This Special Notice is Amendment #4 to RFA: DE-FOA-0000001, issued by the Department of Energy's Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP). It provides a detailed Fact Sheet on Naval Used Nuclear Fuel (UNF), outlining the NNPP's responsibilities and the technical specifics of managing naval UNF. This notice is informational, offering critical background for potential bidders interested in future opportunities related to nuclear material handling, transportation, processing, or disposal.
Purpose and Scope
The fact sheet details the NNPP's statutory responsibilities for all aspects of the Navy's nuclear propulsion, including the safe management, examination, processing, and packaging of naval UNF for dry storage and eventual disposal. Key information includes:
- UNF Characteristics: Approximately 42 metric tons heavy metal (MTHM) as of April 2026, with an average generation of 1 MTHM per year. Naval UNF contains highly enriched uranium (approx. 75% U235) and its design is classified.
- Processing & Storage: UNF is transported by rail to the Naval Reactors Facility (NRF) on the Idaho National Laboratory. Over 80% of UNF at NRF is packaged into sealed stainless-steel canisters (66 inches diameter, 185.5-210.5 inches height), with each containing about 0.15 MTHM. Loaded canisters are stored in reinforced concrete overpacks (approx. 350,000 lbs empty).
- Transportation: The M-290 shipping container is planned for rail transport of naval UNF from NRF, with a maximum loaded weight of about 522,000 lbs. Equipment for unloading UNF from canisters also exists.
Key Details
- Opportunity Type: Special Notice / Informational Amendment
- Agency: Department of Energy (Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program)
- Published Date: June 4, 2026
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- Key Location: Naval Reactors Facility (NRF) on the Idaho National Laboratory.
- Contact: Aaron Nebeker (nebekeas@id.doe.gov)
Additional Information
This fact sheet serves as a comprehensive overview of naval UNF management, providing insights into the scale of operations, material types, and regulatory framework. It is not a solicitation but offers valuable context for industry partners. Further details are available via provided links to the Yucca Mountain Safety Analysis Report and NNPP annual reports.