Application to Test in the NRIC DOME Facility

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Application (RFA) from Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), the Management and Operating Contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory (INL). BEA invites industry applicants to collaborate with the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) and INL to perform advanced reactor experiments in the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) test bed facility. The goal is to accelerate the development and commercialization of advanced reactors by providing access to testing infrastructure, enabling private capital investment and fast-tracking commercial licensing.

Applicants must propose to test a fueled reactor experiment that meets the DOME facility's limitations/specifications. The application must include detailed information in the following categories:

• Reactor Technology Maturity
• Nuclear Material Feedstock/Fuel plan
• Reactor Test Objectives
• Project Schedule (through decommissioning)
• DOME Integration (interface and shielding)
• DOE Authorization Plan
• Funding (amounts and sources)
• Experience and Capabilities
• Commercialization and Regulatory Plan

Testing in DOME is expected to be self-funded by the applicant. The document does not specify contract type, period of performance, or estimated value for the testing itself.

• Contact Information Due: July 8, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. MDT.
• Application Due: July 8, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. MDT.
• Applications must be no more than fifty (50) pages in PDF format, including an attached Master Document and Deliverable List (MDDL) and project schedule (these attachments do not count towards the page limit).
• Evaluation will be conducted by NRIC and DOE, following criteria detailed in the INL guide GDE-55115 DOME Scheduling Application.
• Technical questions must be submitted in writing via email at least two weeks prior to the closing of the opportunity.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate significant progress through conceptual design and have a DOE agreement or engagement on a Nuclear Safety Design Agreement (NSDA) or equivalent.

• Be a United States-owned company or pass a DOE-P 485.1A review.

• If a company is incorporated or organized under the laws of any state with a parent company, the parent company must afford comparable opportunities to U.S.-owned companies, afford comparable local investment opportunities, and afford adequate protection for U.S.-owned companies' intellectual property rights.

• The DOME facility is projected to be ready for use after the first reactor experiment is complete, around July 2027.

• This opportunity does not guarantee selection or a specific time frame for testing.

• Results of the scheduling process are anticipated within four to six months of application receipt.

• Proprietary information must be marked accordingly, and a Non-Disclosure Agreement may be required.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Dome Scheduling Application Guide," outlines the process for reactor developers to apply for time in the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) facility. It details how applications are evaluated to develop the annual and outyear DOME schedule. The application process assumes testing in DOME is funded by the applicant, but may be superseded by government-funded projects.

• Application Submission: Requires a PDF file (max 50 pages) including completed Table 1 (Applicant Information, Technology, Proposed Milestone Dates) and Table 2 (Application Sections detailing requirements for Reactor Technology Maturity, Nuclear Material Feedstock/Fuel, Reactor Test Objectives, Project Schedule, DOME Integration, DOE Authorization Plan, Funding, Experience and Capabilities, Commercialization and Regulatory Plan). A separate schedule data native file (e.g., XER, MPP) is also required.
• Schedule Updates: Developers must confirm or update milestone dates annually and notify NRIC immediately of any changes.
• Evaluation: Applications are scored based on criteria in Table 3, covering Reactor Technology Maturity, Nuclear Feedstock/Fuel, Testing, Project Schedule, DOME Integration, DOE Authorization Plan, Funding, Experience and Capabilities, Commercialization and Regulatory Plan, and Master Document and Deliverable List (MDDL). Higher scores increase the chance of being scheduled.
• Attachments: Includes a Master Document and Deliverable List (MDDL) which is a catalog of project documents, and a Reactor Developer Schedule template.

This guide is essential for any potential bidder seeking to utilize the DOME facility. It clearly defines the application requirements, the information needed for submission, the evaluation criteria, and the overall process for scheduling reactor experiments. Understanding these elements is critical for preparing a competitive and successful application.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Application (RFA) from Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), the Management and Operating Contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Idaho National Laboratory (INL). BEA invites industry applicants to collaborate with the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) and INL to apply for the opportunity to perform advanced reactor experiments in the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) test bed facility. The goal is to accelerate the development and commercialization of advanced reactors by providing access and testing capabilities.

Applicants must demonstrate significant progress in conceptual design and have a DOE agreement or engagement on the proposed reactor's Nuclear Safety Design Agreement (NSDA) or 10 CFR 830 safety basis equivalent. Applications must detail:

• Reactor Technology Maturity
• Fuel qualification, procurement, delivery, storage, and disposal plans
• Planned testing in DOME
• Project Schedule (through decommissioning)
• DOME Integration (interface needs and shielding)
• DOE Authorization Plan for reactor startup
• Funding amounts and sources
• Experience and Capabilities (personnel, partnerships, infrastructure)

Testing in DOME is expected to be self-funded by the applicant. The DOME facility is anticipated to be ready for use after the first reactor experiment is complete, projected for July 2027.

• Initial Contact: Submit company name, contact name, telephone number, and email by 5:00 p.m. MDT on June 19, 2026, to receive further instructions and a secure link.
• Application Deadline: 5:00 p.m. MDT on July 8, 2026.
• Format: Applications must be no more than fifty (50) pages in PDF format. An attached Master Document and Deliverable List (MDDL) and the applicant's project schedule are also required and do not count towards the page limit.
• Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated by NRIC and DOE based on criteria detailed in INL guide GDE-55115 DOME Scheduling Application. NRIC will recommend a testing sequence to DOE, who will make the final determination of the schedule. Results are anticipated within four to six months of application receipt.

Applicants must be United States-owned companies or pass a DOE-P 485.1A review. Alternatively, companies incorporated in the U.S. with a parent company that affords comparable opportunities and protections to U.S. companies may be eligible.

• Technical questions must be submitted in writing via email at least two weeks prior to the closing of the opportunity.
• Responses to questions will be genericized and shared with all applicants.
• Proprietary information must be marked accordingly, and an executed Non-Disclosure Agreement or similar agreement with INL is required prior to submittal.