Request for Application: NRIC Nuclear Energy Launch Pad

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, the "National Reactor Innovation Center Nuclear Energy Launch Pad Application and Evaluation Manual," serves as a guide for applicants seeking to participate in the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad initiative. It details the application process, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, evaluation criteria, and agreement strategies.

• Roles and Responsibilities: Outlines the specific duties of the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, DOE-Idaho, the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC), and the Developer/Applicant.
• Application, Review, and Selection Process: Describes the steps from application submission to selection and contracting, including the two pathways: Launch Pad INL and Launch Pad U.S.A.
• External Capabilities: Details the NRIC's efforts to build a database of subject matter experts and laboratory capabilities to support developers.
• Applicant Information Table: A form for collecting essential contact and project details, including the selected pathway and proposed milestone dates.
• Application Technical Adequacy Characteristics: Provides a rubric for evaluating the technical completeness of an application across categories such as Technology Maturity, Nuclear Feedstock/Fuel, Waste Management, Testing Capability, Project Schedule, Site Plan, DOE Authorization Plan, Funding, and Experience & Capabilities.
• Agreement Strategy: Explains the types of agreements (SPP, OTA) required for selected participants.
• DOE Authorization Process: Summarizes the framework for authorizing nuclear facilities.

This manual is critical for potential bidders as it provides comprehensive guidance on how to prepare and submit a successful application. It outlines the evaluation criteria, helping bidders understand what the government is looking for and how their applications will be assessed. It also clarifies the roles of various entities involved, setting expectations for the application and selection process.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, the "National Reactor Innovation Center Nuclear Energy Launch Pad Application and Evaluation Manual," serves as a guide for applicants seeking to participate in the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad initiative. It details the application process, evaluation criteria, and roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders, supplementing the primary Request for Applications (RFA).

• Roles and Responsibilities: Outlines the specific duties of the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, Idaho Operations Office, National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC), and the Developer/Applicant.
• Application, Review, and Selection Process: Describes the steps from application receipt through selection and contracting, including pathways like "Launch Pad INL" and "Launch Pad U.S.A."
• External Capabilities: Details the development of a national database of subject matter experts and laboratory capabilities to support advanced nuclear technology developers.
• Applicant Information (Table 1): A form for collecting contact information, technology overview, and proposed milestone dates.
• Technical Adequacy Characteristics (Table 2): A rubric for evaluating the technical completeness of an application, covering areas such as technology maturity, feedstock/fuel plans, waste management, testing capability, project schedule, site plan, authorization plan, regulatory/commercialization plans, funding, experience, and the Master Document and Deliverable List (MDDL).
• Application Score Card (Table 3): Provides scoring criteria for evaluating applications based on low and high score characteristics for various categories.
• Agreement Strategy: Explains the types of agreements (SPP, OTA) required for selected applicants.
• DOE Authorization Process: Outlines the framework for authorizing nuclear facilities.
• Resources Available for Additional Support: Directs developers to the NRIC.gov webpage for resources and points of contact.

This manual is crucial for potential bidders as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the application requirements, evaluation process, and what is expected of participants. It guides applicants on how to structure their proposals, what information to include, and how their applications will be assessed, directly impacting their strategy for responding to the RFA.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Request for Application (RFA) from the Idaho National Laboratory's National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) establishes the "Nuclear Energy Launch Pad" initiative. The goal is to promote the rapid development and implementation of private industry deployments of advanced nuclear technologies. This initiative builds upon previous DOE Reactor and Fuel Line Pilot Programs, creating an ecosystem for advanced nuclear technology deployment on federal and non-federal lands through two pathways: Launch Pad INL and Launch Pad U.S.A.

Applicants must propose advanced nuclear facilities that meet specific thresholds, including:

• Sufficiently mature design to support imminent development and safety basis documentation.
• Established nuclear material plans for disposition or lifecycle pathways.
• Adequate financial resources and a mature supply chain.
• Execution readiness for materials, systems, components, and staffing.
• A developed commercialization plan for next steps and long-term commercialization.

Key deliverables include Nuclear Safety Design Agreements, design documentation, safety analyses, waste and spent nuclear fuel management plans, and project schedules.

• The initiative utilizes flexible agreement instruments, including Other Transaction Authority (OTA) and Strategic Partnership Projects (SPP).

• Development of the application is the financial responsibility of the Applicant. NRIC and DOE will not provide funding for selected projects; all industry deployments will be privately funded.

• RFA Issue Date: April 29, 2026

• Initial Submission Deadline for Questions: June 19, 2026, 5:00 PM MDT

• Industry Day: May 19, 2026 (virtual)

• Initial Submission Deadline for Applications: July 08, 2026, 5:00 PM MDT

• Applications submitted after the initial deadline will be reviewed periodically.

• Initial Anticipated Selections: By August 19, 2026.

• Applications will be evaluated based on merit, focusing on technical adequacy, technology maturity, nuclear feedstock/fuel plans, waste management, testing capability, project schedule, site plan, and DOE authorization understanding.

• Priority will be given to projects with high-quality proposals and earlier deployment timelines.

• Applicants must be organized or legally formed under U.S. laws, with majority domestic ownership and control, and a physical location for business operations in the United States.

• Foreign entities may participate with an explicit waiver request.

• SAM.gov registration is required and must remain active.

• The document outlines specific requirements for different facility types (e.g., reactors, fuel fabrication, enrichment, reprocessing).

• Cybersecurity and IT governance requirements are detailed, including adherence to NIST standards and the need for an Interconnection Security Agreement for connectivity.

• Applicants are responsible for all applicable laws, regulations, and permits, including NEPA compliance.